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Craig Houtz

Fencing Nearly Perfect at Sacred Heart

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State men's and women's fencing wrapped up their second dual meet series of the season today in Fairfield, Conn. Both teams went to battle against NYU, Brown University, Sacred Heart, and Vassar while the men also fenced against NJIT.
 
The men's team won four of five the duals. The Nittany Lions beat Brown, 16-11; Sacred Heart, 21-6; NJIT, 18-9; and Vassar, 19-8. Their only defeat came against NYU, 10-17.
 
Elias Cole (Chappaqua, N.Y.) led in epee finishing the day with a 13-2 record. In foil, Shane Iverson (Basking Ridge, N.J.) finished the day going 9-3. Chase Pflueger (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and Inti Farfan-Bayerl (Morrison, Colo.) lead all saber fencers finishing 9-2 and 9-4, respectively.
 
The women's team was dominate all day as they took all four of their duals. The Nittany Lions beat NYU, 24-3; Brown, 19-8, Sacred Heart, 23-4; and Vassar, 23-4.
 
Women's epee improves to 10-0 on the season thanks to another dominate performance by Barbara VanBenthuysen (Spring, Texas), who finished with an 8-0 record today, and is now 23-2 on the season. Freshman Axelle Wasiak (Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium) had an impressive day finishing with a 10-2 record.
 
In women's foil, Jade Rowland (Princeton Junction, N.J.) led the way ending the day 9-2, followed by Isabella Zuzulo (Newtown, Pa.), 8-1, and Lodovica Bicego (Vicenza, Italy) who finished 7-2.
 
Women's saber wouldn't be denied against Sacred Heart and Vassar as they went 9-0 against both teams. Sara Cunningham (Decatur, Ga.) had a strong day finishing 10-2.
 
Following this weekend's action, fencers will be off for finals and winter break. After the new year, select fencers will travel to Charlotte, N.C. for the January NAC starting on Friday, Jan. 3rd and will run till Monday, Jan. 6th.
 
Fans can keep up with Penn State Fencing at GoPSUsports.com. Follow the team on Facebook at Penn State Fencing and on Twitter @pennstateFEN.