HACKENSACK, N.J. – Competing at Stratis Arena for the first time since the 2006-07 season, the Fairleigh Dickinson women's fencing team made the most of its home event on Friday night, knocking off visiting Lafayette by a final score of 18-9.  The win evens FDU's record to 4-4 on the season, while the Leopards slip to 2-4 overall.
 
“It was great to see the FDU fencing team compete at home for the first time in a long time,” First-Year Head Coach Christian Rivera said. “The seniors have been waiting a while to get the opportunity to defend their home turf. They had the chance tonight and exceeded our expectations.”
 
The Knights proved to be dominant in sabre, with a perfect 9-0 mark. Seniors Sophia Bischof (Bonn, Germany/Albert Einstein Gymnasium) and Genele Streitz (Mendham, NJ/West Morris Mendham High School) put together matching 3-0 days, while sophomore Kathryn Heaney (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) went 2-0 and junior Hanna Heldenmuth (Miami, Fla./Keystone National) won her bout for a 1-0 record.
 
FDU also picked up vital points in epee where the Knights added six of the available nine points. Senior Christine Forsythe (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) was a perfect 3-0 as sophomore Yeliz Inalman (Fort Lee, N.J./Fort Lee) chipped in with two wins in three bouts and Tanya Rivera (Union City, N.J./Union City) tacked on one more win at 1-2.
 
Lafayette racked up six points in foil. Sophomore Alix Lerch (Puebla, Puebla, Mexico/Instituto Oriente) won all three of FDU's points by going undefeated at 3-0.
 
Alex Knobel went 2-1 in foil and 2-1 in epee action to lead the Leopards on the night.
 
The Knights will have a quick turnaround as they prepare for the NIWFA Christmas Invitational in Jersey City, N.J. on Sunday, Dec. 2. 


Sabre (FDU 9- Lafayette 0)
Kathryn Heaney (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck)  2-0
Heaney (FDU) def. Leah Hayden (LC)
Heaney (FDU)    def.  Sarah Woodruff (LC)
 
Sophia Bischof (Bonn, Germany/Albert Einstein Gymnasium) 3-0
Bischof (FDU) def. Leah Hayden (LC)
Bischof (FDU) def.  Sarah Woodruff (LC) 
Bischof (FDU) def.  Leah Hayden (LC)    
 
Genele Streitz (Mendham, NJ/West Morris Mendham High School) 3-0
Streitz (FDU) def. Sarah Woodruff (LC)
Streitz (FDU) def.  Leah Hayden (LC)
Streitz (FDU) def. Sarah Woodruff (LC)
 
Hanna Heldenmuth (Miami, Fla./Keystone National) 1-0
Heldenmuth (FDU) def. Sarah Woodruff (LC)
 
Foil (Lafayette 6 – FDU 3)
Alexis Camara (Tampa, FL/Freedom) 0-3
Lisa DeJoseph (LC) def.  Camara (FDU)
Alex Knobel (LC) def.  Camara (FDU)
Colleen Way (LC) def. Camara (FDU) 
 
Alix Lerch (Puebla, Puebla, Mexico/Instituto Oriente) 3-0
Lerch (FDU) def. Colleen Way (LC)
Lerch (FDU)   def. Alex Knobel (LC)
Lerch (FDU)  vs. Lisa DeJoseph (LC)
 
Janki Patel (Franklin Lakes, N.J./Indian Hills) 0-3
Alex Knobel (LC) def. Patel (FDU)
Lisa DeJoseph (LC)  def. Patel (FDU) 
Colleen Way (LC) def.  Patel (FDU)
 
 
Epee (FDU 6 – Lafayette 3)
Christine Forsythe (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) 3-0
Forsythe (FDU)   def.    Elizabeth Gill (LC)
Forsythe (FDU)     def.    Allison Reich (LC)
Forsythe (FDU)  def.  Alex Knobel (LC) 
 
Yeliz Inalman (Fort Lee, N.J./Fort Lee) 2-1
Inalman (FDU) def. Allison Reich (LC)
Alex Knobel (LC)  def. Inalman (FDU)  
Inalman (FDU) def. Elizabeth Gill (LC) 
 
Tanya Rivera (Union City, N.J./Union City) 1-2
Allison Reich (LC) def. Rivera (FDU)
Rivera (FDU) def. Elizabeth Gill (LC) 
Alex Knobel (LC)   def. Rivera (FDU)