Columbia University
VASSAR (Men)
Women's Fencing Sweeps Multi-Team Meet; Men Win One of Three
2/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Fencing
NEW YORK -- In its only home meet of the season, Columbia's women's fencing team convincingly defeated NYU, Sacred Heart and Vassar. In the opening match, Colubmia defeated Vassar 22-5, Sacred Heart 19-8 and completed the sweep with a 21-6 win over NYU.
The Columbia men's team, beset by injuries and fencers competing internationally, defeated Vassar but lost a tight match to Sacred Heart and was defeated by NYU in the nightcap. After a 19-8 win over Vassar, the Lions dropped a 15-12 decision to Sacred Heart, then fell to NYU, 19-8.
"The women had a tremendous day," said a beaming George Kolombatovich, Columbia's Head Coach and Director of Fencing. "I was very pleased with our regular starters and non-starters and how they competed and came out winners."
In epee, Tess Finkel was a perfect 9-0, as was Nicole Ross in foil and Jackie Jacobson won all seven of her bouts for the women's sabre team, sparking the Lion women in a dominating performance.
Against Vassar, Columbia set the tone early, going 8-1 in women's sabre and women's epee and 6-3 in women's foil, including three wins from Ross and first-year D'Meca Homer.
In its second match, Columbia edged Sacred Heart 5-4 in women's sabre and picked up 7-2 wins in foil and epee. In epee, sophomore Ariana Warr and first-year Lydia Kopecky each won two of three.
Women's sabre and epee each went 8-1 vs. NYU, while women's foil continued the day's sweep by going 5-4 against the Violets. Stephanie Aiuto joined Jacobson by going 3-0 in sabre, while Finkel, Kopecky and Ross also swept all three of their bouts.
While disappointed by the results on the men's side, Kolombatovich took away a positive when noting the absence of seniors Alex Rudnicki (injury) and Jeff Spear (away at an international competition), two stalwarts of Columbia's men's sabre squad. "It's what makes the Columbia program so special," he said. "Having these student-athletes compete on an international stage allows them to advance themselves in the world."
Although the loss of Spear and Rudnicki dealt a blow to the normal strength of Columbia's men's team, it was the sabre squad that came away with big wins against Vassar, ultimately winning the weapon, 5-4. Sophomores Billy Fink and Harry Lang had two wins apiece and after an 8-1 win from the epeeists and a 6-3 win by the foil squad, the men took home the win in the first match.
Sacred Heart turned the tables on the Lions, winning 5-4 in sabre and 7-2 in foil. The Columbia men edged the Pioneers in foil, 6-3, backed by a 3-0 showing by Dwight Smith, who led the Lions with an 8-1 mark in the meet, and two wins from Sean Leahy.
NYU edged Columbia 5-4 in both foil and epee and swept the sabre weapon, 9-0. Smith, Kurt Getz and Isaac Kim each went 2-1 in the match against the Violets.
Columbia will return to team competition on Sunday, February 21 at the first round of the Ivy League Championships in Ithaca, N.Y. at Cornell's Newman Arena. Round two will be a week later, on Feb. 28, at Penn.
Men's Fencing (1-2)
19-8 Vassar, 12-15 Sacred Heart, 8-19 NYU
Leaders: Dwight Smith (E), 8-1; Isaac Kim (F), 7-2; Sean Leahy (E), 6-3
Women's Fencing (3-0)
22-5 Vassar, 19-8 Sacred Heart, 21-6 NYU
Leaders: Tess Finkel (E), 9-0; Nicole Ross (F), 9-0; Jackie Jacobson (S), 7-0; Sammy Roberts (S), 6-0; Stephanie Aiuto (S), 4-0; Lydia Kopecky (E), 7-2; Ariana Warr (E), 7-2
Players Mentioned
