POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. and MADISON, N.J. - The Drew University fencing teams turned in stellar performances on Sunday at the Matthew Lampell Hudson River Invitational at Vassar College.

The men's split squad went through the entire competition without losing a match en route to the first-place trophy. Their 7-0 record included a 14-6 victory over Vassar in the final.

The Rangers were led by a 10-win performance by foilist Drew Laun (10-4 on the day) and nine-win showings by foilist Michael DeSando (9-1) and sabers Jake KurtzFreilich (9-0), Michael Parkhurst (9-0), Zachary Wolin (9-2), and Aiden Holmes (9-3).

Across the fencing facility, the Ranger women's team was turning in some great performances of its own. After an opening-round loss to Vassar (17-10), the Rangers ran off five straight victories en route to a finals clash against Vassar. Unfortunately, the winning streak came to an end in the finals with a repeat loss to Vassar (14-6).

Throughout the competition, foilist Cameryn Brown (9-4) and epeeist Caira Blake (9-3) provided key bout wins for their squads. Meanwhile, freshman saberist Nzingha Mutakabbir (8-2) was tops for the saber squad.

"We challenged the men's team to 'go for the hardware' in this event. We told them it was toughest to win when you are expected to win. They came through under that pressure," said Drew Head Coach Vincent Paragano. "As for the women's team, we wanted to see many of the players turn the corner and start applying some of the tactical lessons we have been providing. All in all, I would have to say that they are moving in that direction."

The other half of the men's team opened its 2021-2022 MACFA Conference schedule at home with wins over Hunter, Army, and Yeshiva and losses to NJIT, Stevens and a rejuvenated Rutgers team. The best performances of the day were recorded by saberist Karl Topf (8-4), epee fencer Daniel Stevens (7-3) and foilist Jay Khandelwal (9-3). The competition also featured the 100th career win for foilist DJ Murphy.

"DJ is one of those student-athletes that every team needs. He does the hard work, puts in the extra hours, and supports his teammates," added Paragano. "The fact that he has hit that 100 number in mostly a support role and filling in as a pinch hitter when the circumstances presented itself is a testament to his preparedness. It is great to see him join the 'Century Club' with still a lot of time to go in his collegiate career."

Both teams now head into the holiday break with winning records. They will return for "Winter Camp" in early January. The men's split squad will then head out to Cleveland State University for the CSU Duals Invitational against Cleveland State, Denison University, University of Michigan, Lawrence University and Wayne State University. The other half of the men's team will venture to West Point, N.Y. and attempt to defend their 2020 crown in the "John Trumbull Invitational" at the United States Military Academy.