NORTHAMPTON, MA (February 10, 2018) – The Vassar College women's fencing team picked up five team victories Saturday in the final seven matches of the Northeast Fencing Conference (NFC) schedule in 2017-18, as the Brewers competed in action from the Smith College Indoor Track and Tennis Center.
 
Vassar (17-23) started the day by defeating the University of New Hampshire 2907 before earning back-to-back 16-11 wins over both Smith College and Dartmouth University. The Brewers were tripped up by Wellesley College 18-9, and were barely bested by Sacred Heart 14-13. In the final match of the day, Vassar would end on a high note, picking up a 21-6 win to finish an even 6-6 in the NFC this season.
 
Against UNH, Vassar's foil and sabre teams shined in a 20-7, as juniors Mirit Rutishauser and Sophie Blumenstock each cruised to three wins apiece. In fact, Blumenstock allowed just one touch against the Wildcats, and teammate Zoe Morgan also picked up two wins as well for VC. In sabre, seniors Annie Innes-Gold and Lilia Hutchinson each were a perfect 3-0, while Shannon Chen and Rose Hulsey-Vincent were each 2-1 in epee.
 
In the victory over Smith College in round two, the Brewers earned 7-2 wins from both the sabre and foil squads. Blumenstock continued her strong day with three more wins against the Pioneers, while Rutishauser added two victories as well. Hulsey-Vincent was 2-1 in epee for VC, and Innes-Gold contributed three more sabre wins to the Brewer cause. The sabre team also saw Rose Parker and Hutchinson each go 2-1 as well against Smith.
 
Against Dartmouth, the sabre team saw Innes-Gold tally another 3-0 record while Nicoletta Dinelli and Hutchinson were both 2-1. The epee team also earned a win with a 6-3 decision, thanks to three 5-2 bout wins by Hulsey-Vincent. Chen was also 2-1, while Hannah Gaven fenced well despite only capturing one victory.
 
VC kept its winning streak to start the day going in round four, knocking off Boston University, as Blumenstock was 2-1 while Rutishauser went a perfect 3-0. Innes-Gold earned two sabre wins as well, while Hulsey-Vincent added another bout win in epee.
 
Against Wellesley, the Blue's depth across the board was a little too much to overcome. Rutishauser continued to fence well as she earned two more bout victories, while Hulsey-Vincent also was 2-1 in epee. Innes-Gold was 3-0 in sabre for the Brewers, while Dinelli also captured a win in the weapon for the Brewers.
 
The tightest match of the day came against Sacred Heart University, as the Pioneer's 8-1 win in epee was the difference. The Brewers earned 6-3 wins in both sabre and foil, as the foil group saw Rutishauser and Blumenstock both dominate with 3-0 records. Innes-Gold was once again 3-0, while Parker added a 2-1 mark for the Brewers. Hulsey-Vincent started the round with a 5-4 win, but the Brewers were twice tripped up 5-4 by Daria Rudakova which proved to be the difference.
 
Despite the tough loss to SHU, the Brewers rebounded to race by the Minutewomen 21-6, as all three weapon groups earned victories. Rutishauser finished her amazing day with a 3-0 record against UMass, while Blumenstock was also undefeated in her three bouts. Hulsey-Vincent allowed just two touches in three wins in epee, while Innes-Gold and Hutchinson each were undefeated in their three bouts.
 
The Brewers will now head to Columbia University Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. to take on the host Lions and New York University in the Historical Meet in the Columbia Blue Gymnasium.