Dec. 5, 2006

PHILADELPHIA, PA - In a hard fought close loss, the Pioneer women's fencing Team was defeated by Drew University 16-11 on Saturday at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

The team was once again led by its outstanding saber team who went 7-2 with another undefeated performance by freshman Krista Bacci and 2-1 records from Senior Captain Liz Mordecai and Freshman Laura Amon.

"It was a tough fought match and with the last six foil and epee bouts left we were only down 11-10," says head coach Dr. Tom Vrabel. "Unfortunately, despite valiant efforts, we were only able to win one of those last six bouts."

"I am very pleased with performance of this team considering that we are starting six freshmen and only one senior and also taking in to account that four of our starters never fenced before coming to SHU. It is only a matter of time before the Epee and Foil squads gain more confidence in their technique and we will start winning these matches against stronger teams such as Drew and Vassar."

In the other contest the Pioneer women lost to an outstanding Penn team, led by first team all american Holly Beuchel 25-2.

"We really appreciate the opportunity that was provided to us by Penn coach David Michanik to fence a team like his," says Vrabel. "Our young fencers are learning from competing against top ten nationally ranked team like PENN and it makes us focus all the more so that we can get to that level of performance."

The team continues its very competitive schedule with a meet against defending NCAA champions Harvard in Cambridge this Saturday at 11:00 AM