Engineers Go 5-1 at NFC Opener

DURHAM, N.H. – Behind the strength of outstanding performances by the saber and epee squads, the MIT women's fencing team registered a 5-1 record in its first Northeast Fencing Conference competition of the season at the University of New Hampshire on Saturday. The Engineers defeated UMass Amherst (21-6), Wellesley College (20-7), UNH (23-4), Boston University (19-8), and Brandeis University (19-8), but fell to Sacred Heart (16-11).

Junior Robin Shin (Brookline, Mass.) dominated the field as she amassed an 18-0 ledger in sabre action leading MIT to a 43-11 record on the day. The squad overpowered its opponents as it posted a sweep of UMass, an 8-1 decision over Wellesley, 7-2 wins over UNH and Brandeis, and 6-3 victories against BU and Sacred Heart. Senior Molly Kozminsky (Port Matilda, Pa.) finished at 15-3 while junior Elisabeth Morant (Chicago, Ill.) notched a total of 10-6. Junior Sally Wolfe (Madison, Wis.) rounded out the squad with an 0-2 mark.

The epee team compiled a 42-12 ledger as it defeated UNH (9-0), Wellesley (8-1), BU (8-1), Brandeis (7-2), and UMass (6-3) but was edged out by Sacred Heart (4-5). Freshman Sarah Alkilany (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the way with a 14-2 performance while senior Kirsten Hessler (Roswell, Ga.) came in at 12-3. Senior Rachel Williams (Merritt Island, Fla.) had a total of 7-2 as classmate Breanna Peterman (Selden, N.Y.) posted a record of 9-5.

Senior Julia Hopkins (New York, N.Y.) led the foil squad with an 11-6 outing, helping it finish with a tally of 28-26. MIT overpowered UNH (7-2) and narrowly defeated UMass (6-3), BU (5-4), and Brandeis (5-4). Freshman Rebecca Shi (Plainsboro, N.J.) contributed a 5-4 performance, followed by junior Julia Kimmerly's (Middlesex, Vt.) total of 7-9 and senior Ana Escalante's (Los Angeles, Calif.) record of 5-8.

Next up for the Engineers will be the Brandeis Invitational on Sunday, Dec. 4.