NEW YORK (February 10, 2016) – The Vassar College men's fencing team traveled into New York City Wednesday evening to take on New York University and defending NCAA National Champion Columbia University in non-conference action from Columbia. After falling to NYU 20-7 in the opening match of the night, the Brewers responded by knocking off the Lions 14-13 in a huge win.

In the match with the Lions, Vassar's sabre team went 7-2 but Columbia's foil squad responded with a 7-2 win, as it came down to the epee groups. In the epee competition, the Brewers chalked up the all-important five wins necessary to earn the match victory over top-ranked Columbia University.

Senior Elam Coalson (River Forest, IL/Oak Park & River Forest) was 3-0 in sabre for the Brewers, while sophomore Eli Polston (Silver Spring, MD/Einstein) and senior Zachary Wilson (Rochester, NY/Allendale Columbia) each added two wins apiece as well. Sophomore Tom Racek (Clark's Summit, PA/Abington Heights) also picked up two bouts in foil for VC.

In epee against Columbia, sophomores George Whiteside (Fairfield, CT/Fairfield Ludlowe) and Jonathan Alperstein (Fishkill, NY/John Jay) both earned two bout wins, while Ry Farley (Pasadena, CA/Waverly School) added the other win for VC in epee. 

In earlier action, the Brewers were topped by NYU 20-7, as the Violets were able to neutralize the normally strong sabre team for VC. In the match with NYU, Polston posted both of the wins for the sabre team, which saw its 11-match squad winning streak snapped.

The epee team chalked its first of two 5-4 wins on the day against the Violets, as Whiteside picked up two more victories with Alperstein, Farley and Daniel Swerzenski (Oak Ridge, NJ/Butler) all chalking up one bout win.

Wednesday evening's dual matches were the last two of the season for the Brewers, who finish their dual meet slate 25-14. The 25 victories are a school record, breaking the mark set back in 2010-11 with 23.

Vassar College will continue its season as individuals and squads from now on, as the Brewers travel to Wellesley College for the New England Intercollegiate Fencing Championships February 20 at 9 a.m. in Wellesley, MA.