Nov. 4, 2006

NORTHAMPTON, MA - In a field with fencers from 16 Universities, freshman Krista Bacci placed third and earned a bronze medal in the women's saber at the Big One Invitational held at Smith College.

Bacci was undefeated in the preliminary seeding round and was seeded seventh going in to the direct elimination matches.

"This is a great start of the season for Krista" says head coach Tom Vrabel. "She has the talent and work ethic to achieve this level of succes but perfoming like this in her first collegiate competition in a field of 51 women that included several fencers who qualified for NCAA Nationals last year makes this result really special. Her hard work and dedication is really paying off."

Also starring for SHU were freshman Laura Amon who placed 15th in the saber and Freshman Brendan Sielaff who was 14th in a very strong field of 74 fencers in men's epee.

"These freshmen are forming a great nucleus for the succesful growth of the fencing program at Sacred Heart and I expect them only to get better as the season progresses" says Vrabel.

The Pioneer fencers begin their dual meet season on Sunday Nov 12 at Vassar where they will be fencing Vassar, Cleveland State, CCNY, and Yeshiva.