This past weekend, the men and women’s fencing teams attended the Rangers Fall Invitational at Drew University, posting impressive results and setting the tone for their upcoming season. The men’s team went 5-2, with junior sabreur John Morreale leading the team with 11 victories. The women’s team boasted a perfect 6-0 record, with junior sabreuse Arianna Daringa making her season debut with 12 victories. She was matched by graduate student Claire McNeill (epee) who also led with 12 victories.
The men’s team saw impressive performances from all three weapons throughout the invitational. Senior Christopher Stone (sabre) and sophomore Andrew Yurovchak (epee) each posted 10 victories. First-year Noah Tumibay won nine times in his collegiate debut for Stevens. The men’s team has won at least five duals in each of their three appearances at Drew’s season-opening event.
As a whole, the Ducks defeated Lafayette 14-13 and scored back-to-back wins over Yeshiva and Clemson 24-3. Stevens’ victory over Lafayette set the precedent for the rest of the day, as the Leopards had defeated the Ducks 14-13 last year. The team fell to NJIT in a 16-11 decision and a 17-10 result to Drew. Unnerved, the Ducks responded with wins over Vassar at 15-12 and Rutgers at 16-10 by the end of the day. The win over Vassar marked the Ducks’ fourth straight win over the Brewers.
The Invitational saw many new faces from the men’s team this year. In addition to Tumibay, first-years Liam Thomas (foil), Cyrus Erachshaw (sabre), Tyler Kometani (sabre), Kyle Stamis (sabre) and Riley Parker (epee) all made their collegiate debuts.
The women’s team had a very successful season-opener as they made their way through the day’s events. Junior Alyssa Ip (sabre) and sophomore Emily Zgombic (foil) each came out victorious ten times for Stevens. Women’s fencing completed Drew’s annual event with a perfect record for the second time in the last three seasons.
Together, the team defeated Lafayette 17-10 and NJIT and Drew 15-12. The women posted a decisive 26-1 victory over Clemson followed by a 27-0 win over Yeshiva. The group defeated Rutgers 17-10 to close out the event. Overall, the performance was one to watch, as the women’s team posted their second win over NJIT, a Division I school.
The Invitational also saw new faces from the Stevens’ Women’s team. In addition to Daringa, the event saw a notable debut from junior Nerissa Lundquist.
Sophomore Amber Muzone and first-years Akemi Rodriguez and Zoya Duarte-Garcia, joined seniors Victoria Beke and Megha Jain, in picking up their first wins of the season.
Both teams will be attending the Temple Open on November 4 and November 5, 2023 at Temple University to continue their streaks.
