The New York University women's fencing team swept a two-match meet against Fairleigh Dickinson University in the home opener of the 2011-12 season on Thursday, November 10, at the Jerome Coles Sports Center.
 
The Violets won both matches convincingly, 19-8 followed by 16-11.
 
In the first match, the women dominated in foil at 9-0, while narrowly edging out epee and sabre 5-4.
 
Jess Sherman, Sophie Feiertag and Becca Baird-Remba competed in foil, and had a rather easy time of it as the Knights only had one foil fencer, giving the Violets a total of six forfeit points. In epee, Christina Lai went 2-0, while the Knights only sent out two fencers, giving the Violets three forfeit points. Wielding sabre, Jackie Leval went an impressive 3-0 while co captain Lisa Verzino went 2-1 to seal the sabre victory.
 
In the second match, NYU posted another 9-0 shutout in foil. In epee, the Violets lost 5-4, with Alyssa Parkhurst winning the only bout that NYU did not win by forfeit. In sabre, Leval was again unbeaten, going 1-0.
 
“Today was a great chance to see everyone compete,” said NYU head coach Steve Mormando. “Jackie was really impressive today, and that can only give us confidence for the rest of the season. We will use today's experience to make ourselves better.”
 
The Violets return to the strip at the Penn State Invitational in State College, PA, on December 3.