Feb. 14, 2008

NEW YORK, NY - The ever improving Pioneer women closed out their season with a 16-11 loss to NYU and a 20-7 loss to Ivy League Champion Columbia in Manhattan last night.

In the first match, Sacred Heart's saber squad beat NYU 6-3 and the epee squad won 5-4. Unfortunately, foil star Jo Siskidis was sidelined with the nasty stomach flu going around campus and foil did not win a bout. Catie Sagevick stepped in to fill Jo's foil place but was unable to come up with a victory. Anna Hanley led the saber squad with a perfect 3-0 mark. Kayla Cronin was also battling the stomach flu and was not at her best.

"We came so close tonight despite having two key people down," said head coach Dr. Tom Vrabel. "I am pleased with the progress that the saber and epee squads are making. We look forward to foil being at that level next year."

The team regrouped and fought valiantly in a 20-7 loss to Columbia. "I was very pleased with our effort in this match," said Vrabel. "Columbia rolled through the Ivies and we did as well or better than half of the Ivy League squads did against them. Our fencers had great enthusiasm and fought very hard."

Leading the way was Catie Sagevick, who went back to fencing epee and posted a perfect 3-0 record against Columbia, including wins over all Ivy Selections Orianna Isaacson and Martyna Urbanowicz.

"Catie really believed in herself and let her talent take care of things for the first time this year. I was so happy for her."

"The epee squad went 4-5 with 4 heartbreaking 5-4 defeats from Mary Dannegger. Mary is fencing great right now. She had two wins against NYU and was so close to having a really great night. She should be ready to really shine at the league championships this weekend."

Rounding out the evening was Krista Bacci, who defeated two time first team All-American and Olympian Emily Jacobson 5-3. "Krista had a really tough fall after rolling her ankle against NYU," comments Vrabel. "She was really shaken up but kept fighting, as she always does. By the time she fenced Jacobson, her composure and focus were completely back and she fenced as she is capable. I look forward to her having a big day on Sunday".

Also starring for the saber squad was Anna Hanley who went 4-2 on the evening. "Last year we only won two bouts against Columbia. This was a big improvement for a very young team".

The Pioneers are back in action Sunday at Dartmouth in the NEWIFC Conference Championships.