Jan. 23, 2011
NEW YORK, N.Y. – The University of Notre Dame fencing team opened its 2011 season with 11 combined wins at the New York University Invitational on Saturday at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center, as the women recorded a 6-0 ledger and the men posted a 5-1 mark. Epeeist Ewa Nelip (14-2) and foilist Ariel DeSmet (11-0) led the way for the women’s and men’s squads, respectively.
The women notched victories over Yale (22-5), sixth-ranked Columbia (20-7), seventh-ranked Northwestern (16-11), fifth-ranked St. John’s (16-11), NYU (20-7) and 10th-ranked Ohio State (17-10). The men secured wins over Yale (19-8), eighth-seeded Columbia (21-6), Stevens Tech (21-6), NYU (23-4) and fifth-seeded Ohio State (19-8). The lone blemish came against third-seeded St. John’s (12-15).
Men’s Individual Results
James Kaull and Jacob Osborne led the men’s epee squad. Kaull ended the day with a mark of 12-3 including perfect 3-0 bout sheets against Stevens Tech and Ohio State. Osborne, meanwhile, recorded a 9-4 record paced by two or more bout wins against Yale, NYU and Ohio State. In total six epeeists took to the strip including Brent Kelly (3-3), Jack Piasio (2-3), Michael Rossi (1-2) and Greg Schoolcraft (5-7).
Men’s foil proved to be the most dominant of the Irish weapons, seeing the team post a 42-12 bout record in their six matches. DeSmet showed his talent over the day, posting a perfect 11-0 mark including at least two wins against Yale, Stevens Tech, St. John’s and Ohio State. Reggie Bentley and Enzo Castellani eached finished the day with identical 8-4 marks, while Steve Kubik ended 7-1, Nicholas Kubik finished 4-3 and Zach Schirtz concluded at 4-4.
The sabre squad also ended with impressive numbers, as the team combined to go 41-13 on the day. Anthony Schlehuber (10-2) and Barron Nydam (9-3) led the Irish in wins, while Jason Choy (7-4), Alexander Coccia (6-1), Kevin Hassett (5-1) and Keith Feldman (4-2) rounded out the rotation.
Women’s Individual Results
Despite having only a six-member epee squad, the women put together an impressive opening day, going 34-20 overall. Led by a pair of two-time NCAA All-Americans, the squad won the weapon in each of the six bouts. Nelip put together a 14-2 ledger, including clean sheets against Northwestern, St. John’s and NYU. Courtney Hurley ended the day one win behind Nelip, concluding with a 13-2 mark and clean sheets against Yale, Columbia and Northwestern. Diane Zielinski (6-11), Phenix Messersmith (1-4) and Caroline Dikibo (0-1) rounded out the epeeists for the women.
The women’s foil team ended the day with a record of 40-14, including posting perfect 9-0 decisions over both Columbia and NYU. Three-time NCAA participant Hayley Reese led the team with a 9-4 mark and was followed closely by Radmila Sarkisova and Grace Hartman, who each finished with 8-2 records. Rachel Beck (6-4), Darsie Malynn (5-2) and Adriana Camacho (4-0) also competed for the Irish.
In sabre, Eileen Hassett (13-2), Lian Osier (11-5) and Sarah Borrmann (10-5) each reached double-digit victory totals en route to the sabre squad posting a 37-17 record. Three other sabreists – Abigail Nichols (3-1), Kathryn Palazzoto (0-3) and Beatriz Almeida (0-1) – also competed for the Irish.
The Irish return to the strip on Sunday when they participate in the St. John’s Duals at Carnesecca Arena in Jamaica, N.Y.
Complete Irish Results (Men):#1 Notre Dame def. Yale 19-8 (MS: 7-2, MF: 7-2, ME: 5-4)#1 Notre Dame def. #8 Columbia 21-6 (MS: 9-0, MF: 7-2, ME: 5-4)#1 Notre Dame def. Stevens Tech 21-6 (MS: 8-1, MF: 8-1, ME: 5-4)#3 St. John's def. #1 Notre Dame 15-12 (MS: 2-7, MF: 6-3, ME: 4-5)#1 Notre Dame def. NYU 23-4 (MS: 8-1, MF: 8-1, ME: 7-2)#1 Notre Dame def. #5 Ohio State 19-8 (MS: 7-2, MF: 6-3, ME: 6-3)
Complete Irish Results (Women):#1 Notre Dame def. Yale 22-5 (WS: 7-2, WF: 8-1, WE: 7-2)#1 Notre Dame def. #6 Columbia 20-7 (WS: 6-3, WF: 9-0, WE: 5-4)#1 Notre Dame def. #7 Northwestern 16-11 (WS: 5-4, WF: 4-5, WE: 7-2)#1 Notre Dame def. #5 St. John's 16-11 (WS: 6-3, WF: 5-4, WE: 5-4)#1 Notre Dame def. NYU 20-7 (WS: 6-3, WF: 9-0, WE: 5-4)#1 Notre Dame def. #10 Ohio State 17-10 (WS: 7-2, WF: 5-4, WE: 5-4)
–ND–