Nov. 20, 2007

ITHACA, NY - The Johns Hopkins women's fencing team went 2-1 at the Cornell Invitational, defeating Yeshiva and Stevens but falling to host Cornell. Hopkins defeated Yeshiva 23-4 and Stevens 16-11. Cornell beat Hopkins 19-8. The Blue Jays are now 6-1 in dual meets.

Against Cornell, the Big Red swept all three weapons in route to the win. Freshman Sofia de Benedictis (London, England/Chelteham Ladies' College) went 2-1 in the Foil to lead the Blue Jays. In the Epee, sophomore Ying Guo (Fargo, ND/Fargo South) and senior Cindy Liu (Walnut, CA/Walnut) each went 1-2. Freshman Mary Vitale (Hampton, NJ/Voorhees) went 2-1 in the Sabre.

"It is always interesting to see a freshman fencer in her first series of competitions," commented head coach James Murray. "Wins are a plus and Sofia is a unique and exciting fencer to watch."

Hopkins swept all three weapons in the match against Yeshiva, winning 8-1 (Foil), 7-2 (Sabre) and 7-2 (Epee). De Benedictis went 3-0 and Dolan went 2-0 in the Foil. In the Epee, both Liu and freshman Corinne Warren (Fairfield, CT/Fairfield Ludlowe) went 2-0.

"The speed and quick thinking necessary in Sabre gives few second chances, Mary had a strong performance and focus in every bout - sometimes having to come from behind in the score," said Murray.

Against the Ducks, Hopkins won the Foil (8-1) and the Sabre (6-3), while Stevens won the Epee (7-2). In the Foil, de Benedictis and sophomore Samantha Dolan (S. Pasadena, CA/S. Pasadena) each went 3-0. Kim went 2-1 in her bouts. Vitale again went unbeaten, winning all three of her bouts in the Sabre. Freshman Alysson Mondoro (Holmdel, NJ) went 2-1 in her bouts.

For the weekend, in the Epee, Liu went 4-4. Warren went 3-5 and Guo went 3-6. In the Sabre, Vitale led the Blue Jays with an 8-1 record, with Gelson and Mondoro going 4-5 each. And in the Foil, de Benedictis posted an 8-1 record, with Kim going 6-2 and Dolan 5-2.

Hopkins competed at the Haverford Invitational on November 11 and picked up wins against club teams from Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland and Mt. Holyoke.

Hopkins wraps up the semester at the National Intercollegiate Women's Fencing Association (NIWFA) Christmas Tournament. The event is being held in Jersey City on December 2.