FAIRFIELD, CT (December 6, 2015) – The Vassar College men's fencing team traveled to Sacred Heart University Sunday afternoon for its annual Traditional Multi-Meet, fencing some of the best teams in NCAA Fencing.

Vassar dropped all six of its matches Sunday afternoon, but saw some encouraging outcomes on the strip. VC fell to No. 6 Harvard University (19-8), Sacred Heart (15-12), No. 2 Penn State University (19-8), New York University (16-11), No. 8 Princeton University (26-1) and New Jersey Institute of Technology (17-10).

In the opening match of the day against the Crimson, the Brewer epee squad had a solid outing taking six of the nine bouts. Sophomores Jonathan Alperstein (Fishkill, NY/John Jay) and George Whiteside (Fairfield, CT/Fairfield Ludlowe) each picked up two victories, as did junior captain Ry Farley (Pasadena, CA/Waverly School). Including in those wins were three bout victories over Nicolas Simko, who was a NCAA Championships qualifier last season. VC also got a win each in sabre from seniors Zach Wilson (Rochester, NY/Allendale Columbia School) and Elam Coalson (River Forest, IL/Oak Park & River Forest).

In a preview of Northeast Fencing Conference action, the Brewers had a very spirited match with the host Pioneers, but SHU earned a hard-fought 15-12 decision. VC got two wins from Alperstein in epee, while Whiteside and Farley each earned bouts as well. Vassar dominated in sabre with eight wins, three from Coalson and two from Campbell Woods (Newport Beach, NY/Corona Del Mar). In the end, a strong effort from the Pioneer foil team was the difference.

Facing the No. 2 ranked Nittany Lions of PSU, sabre fencer Eli Polston (Silver Spring, MD/Einstein) registered all three of VC's wins in the weapon. Vassar's epee team collected four victories, two from Farley, while sophomore Tom Racek (Clark's Summit, PA/Abington Heights) recorded two triumphs in foil.

During the "lunch" round, the Brewers battled NYU and the epee team again earned a squad win with five victories, two each from Whiteside and Farley. Racek added two wins against the Violets in foil, but NYU earned 6-3 advantages in sabre and foil to earn the match. VC only got one win against Princeton, a victory by Farley who also took 2015 NCAA Runner-up in epee Jack Hudson to the limit before falling 5-4.

The Brewers won the epee and sabre squad decisions against NJIT in the final match of the day, but couldn't get it going in foil falling by seven, 17-10.

Vassar will return to action January 17 after the Holiday Break, as it heads out to the Golden State to take part in the University of California-San Diego West Invitational in La Jolla, CA.