A pair of newcomers debuted with top-20 performances as the New York University Women's Fencing Team opened its 2021-22 season at the Temple Open in Philadelphia, PA, on Saturday, October 23.  

Freshman Sharon Ni (Poquoson, VA/Peninsula Catholic HS) placed 11th in the saber competition and sophomore Maria Stamos (New York, NY/Bronx Science) took 14th in foil to headline the team's successful return to the strip.

"Having been off for two years and without as much preparation as we'd like, I think the women did a terrific job today," said veteran Head Coach Steve Mormando.

Ni won all but one match in pool play to advance to the direct elimination bracket. She defeated Caroline Donado of Haverford College (15-10) and Zoe Beale of Wagner College (15-9) before falling to Cornell University's Sarah Lacson (15-11) in the Round of 16.

Stamos, who attended NYU last season when the squad did not compete due to Covid-19, made the most of her first competition. She went 7-1 in pool play, then defeated teammate Sarah Prilutsky (Princeton, NJ/Princeton Day) in her first bout in direct elimination.

"I was giddy. Just wanted to get back to fencing," Stamos said.

She then edged Yejine Lee of Northwestern University 15-14 ("the highlight of my day") before dropping a close 15-13 decision to Talia Becker-Calazans of the University of Pennsylvania.

"It was awesome competing and being around all my teammates," Stamos added. "I was nervous at first and thought I got off to a rocky start, but I'm just so excited to be fencing again."

Junior Anna Lanzman (Brooklyn, NY/Stuyvesant) was NYU's top performer in epee, posting a 21st-place finish and defeating Lauren Foley of Wagner College 15-9 in the Round of 32.  

There was no team scoring at the competition.

"Everything considered, I couldn't have asked for more from the team," Mormando stated. "I'm excited about what I've seen so far and for the season as it unfolds." 

The Violets return to the strip on Sunday, December 5, when they compete at the Sacred Heart Tradition Tournament in Fairfield, CT.