January 27, 2004

Fencers Dominate

Print More

photo
The fencing team returned to Ithaca Sunday night with a pair of victories over Vassar University and Yeshiva University.

In the first match of the day, the strength and experience of the Red overwhelmed Yeshiva’s young program. Cornell won every match-up and swept the competition, winning by a score of 27-0.

“I don’t want to make too much of that victory,” said head coach Al Peters.

The Red will face much more competitive schools in the weeks ahead, where Peters hopes to keep the team focused on consistent improvement, rather than resting on its laurels.

The sweep was followed by another lopsided victory over Vassar, with Cornell winning by a final score of 20-7.

The foil squad set the tone early, breaking out of the slump it had suffered in late 2003, to start the new year with a strong performance. Senior captain Valerie DeRose, and freshmen Shannon Flatley and Beth Rubin each contributed two victories. Freshman Jessica Cho helped the cause by winning her single match.

“I think, number one, the break was good for them,” Peters said of the team’s performance in the foil category. “And number two, they worked hard together and worked hard with the coaches over the last week and half.”

The Red also dominated in the epee category despite the absence of senior captain Erica Wilhelm. Sophomores Meghan Phair and Karen Klima, along with freshman Alexa Rose, each finished with a 2-1 record.

In sabre, senior captain Lily Nierenberg and freshman Elise Pasoreck were both 2-1. Freshman Ivana Zgaljic was a perfect 3-0 to lead the Red’s sweep in the final category.

Next week, the team will travel to Boston to face a higher level of competition at the Brandeis Multi Meet.

“It’s practice as usual [this week],” Peters said. “We have to stay sharp, and raise our tactics because the level of competition will be higher in Boston.”

Archived article by Olivia Dwyer