Four Pioneers named to Northeast Fencing Conference All-League Teams

May 27, 2009

FAIRFIELD, CT - The Pioneers had four fencers named to the Northeast Intercollegiate Fencing Conference all-league teams with junior team captain Krista Bacci being named to the first team saber squad for the third consecutive year. She was joined on the all-league first team with freshman epeeist Amanda Green. Senior epeeist Mary Dannegger and sophomore foilist JoAnne Siskidis were second team all-league selections.

Team captain Bacci completed her third excellent campaign in the Northeast Fencing Conference with a 29-5 record. In addition to this accomplishment, she was the individual silver medalist at the conference tournament where she led the Pioneer saber squad to a third place finish.

"Krista continues to be a dominant force in the Northeast Fencing Conference," comments head coach Dr Thomas Vrabel. "She is a very fierce competitor and is a great leader in addition to being a very accomplished fencer. Her leadership was an important reason why this team over achieved all season long. I look for her to have a great senior year and become a four year all league selection"

In epee, the Pioneers had two all league selections with Green compiling a 30-6 record, giving her the best record of any epee fencer in the conference. Dannegger came on strong in the second half of the season and was a second team selection with a 22-7 record.

"Amanda had a great freshman campaign and really solidified our epee squad this season," said Dr. Vrabel. "She has great potential to continue to improve her game in coming seasons. It was really great to see Mary come on during the second half of the year. This level of success was a long time coming for Mary, and it was so rewarding to see all of her hard work pay off with this accomplishment. We will really miss her next season"

Siskidis also amassed an impressive 30-6 record this past season. She lost out by two indicator points from being named to the Conference first team, posting an identical record to Christine Lee of Tufts but losing out +87 to +85 in positive touch differential. In addition to her personal success, she was a great leader of the foil squad and was instrumental in the development of teammates Casey Zimmermann and Jen Wysocki.

"Jo just took charge this season," said Dr Vrabel. "Her confidence level improved dramatically this year and she won many bouts this season sheer force of will. She is one of those unique competitors who can maintain a very high level of success even when she doesn't have her best game. Her will to win is fantastic."

In addition to the women's success, the Pioneer men also had three all-league selections with freshmen Justin Dion and Marty Williams being first team selections in epee and saber respectively and junior Kyle Dee being a second team epee selection. The Pioneers had the most combined all league selections (seven) of any program in the Conference this season.