POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Drew University men's fencing team opened its 2019-2020 season in style at the Vassar College Invitational on Sunday. The Rangers used line-ups that featured freshmen in key spots and finished the day 11-2.

Among the biggest wins were an 18-9 victory over Division I Sacred Heart University, a 19-8 triumph of Division I University of the Incarnate Word, a 20-7 win over Vassar, and two victories over Division I Lafayette College by scores of 22-5 and 19-8. Other matches included victories over Denison University, Hunter College (two wins), Army (two wins), and Yeshiva University.

The lone defeats were at the hands of MACFA rival Stevens University and Vassar.

Top performers for the Ranger men were Jake KurtzFreilich (saber, 11-0), Nathan Milgram (saber, 13-2) and William Badrigian (foil, 13-4). Freshmen Michael Bickford (foil, 12-4), Nicholas Beach (epee, 12-6) and Zachary Wolin (saber, 10-6) opened their collegiate careers in impression fashion.

"We knew that we had special talent in the incoming freshmen class. But we had no idea that Nick and Zach would be able to contribute this quickly," said Drew Head Coach Vincent Paragano. "We have a good cadre of freshmen at all three weapons. Just wait until they all get rolling. The coaches and I know that there is a lot of good fencing ahead for them."

Meanwhile, the women's team went a perfect 8-0 on the day, upping its season record to 12-2. The win total included victories over Division I Wagner College (15-12) and Incarnate Word (17-10) and an improbable 14-13 squeaker against EWFC-rival Vassar.

Leading the way for the Ranger women were Lydia Segal (foil, 17-4) and Kayla Ogden (saber 16-3), Emily Huber (20-0) along with freshmen Candace Zola (saber, 20-1) and Sophia McGee (11-7). The women's saber squad carried a good part of the victory load, going 64-6 over the course of the day.

"We have been working hard to improve our tactics since our first competition [on Oct. 27]," said Paragano. "That included running through game-situations and discussing and addressing specific bout scenarios. We can see improvement at all levels, but it will still take time to reach our full potential. The season is young; we will get there."

By far the most compelling match-up of the day was the women's one-point win over Vassar, which was decided in the final bout. With the meet tied 13-13, Huber pulled out a come-from-behind 5-4 win to bring home the victory.

"Emily has been a steady performer and a terrific team captain," noted Paragano. "Even with her bout down 4-3, we all knew that she would somehow pull it out – and she did."

The women's team will return to Vassar next Sunday for the Matt Lampell Invitational. The men's team will send split squads to two different New York competitions. Part of the squad will be in Poughkeepsie again for the Matt Lampell Invitational while another unit will compete in the MACFA group meet of the season at Hunter College.