Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Midwest Duals
Wildcats Sweep Midwest Duals
1/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Fencing
Jan. 24, 2004
Northwestern's Midwest Dual Results
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EVANSTON, Ill.--Northwestern's fifth-ranked women's fencing team swept the Midwest Duals 8-0 Saturday at SPAC, and in the process earned head coach Laurie Schiller his 800th career victory.
"It is very hard to put into words," said Schiller, whose record of 804-386 further makes him the all-time winningest coach at Northwestern. "I am really proud of creating the program we have. It is really the kids. I hope to be around long enough to reach 1,000."
NU started the day off strong with a 24-3 victory over Chicago. The foil squad posted its strongest showing of the day, winning seven points for the 'Cats (18-2). Jessica Florendo (Forest Hills, NY/The Dwight School) and Julia F?ldi (Budapest, Hungary/Szent Isatavan Gimnazium) each went 2-0 against the Maroons.
After defeating Minnesota 23-4, the Wildcats knocked down Michigan 20-7, which turned out to be NU's closest match of the day. Sara Pecherek (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South) went 3-0 in helping the epee squad earn seven points.
"Sara fenced very well and went undefeated for the day," said Schiller. "Most of the team looked excellent, but Sara's performance stood out."
The 'Cats proceeded to reel off four more impressive victories, beating Florida and Michigan State 22-5, as well as Purdue and Bowling Green 25-2. Northwestern's biggest win came in the last dual against the only other varsity team at the competition, Lawrence. During NU's 26-1 rout of the Vikings, Lauren Dunn (Fair Oaks, Calif./Del Campo) and Lauren Van Gieson (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) each put up 2-0 records for the sabre squad.
In all, 11 Wildcats went undefeated for the day.
Next week the 'Cats will fence against two highly ranked teams in the Notre Dame Duals--No.1 Notre Dame and No. 3 Ohio State, both of which have topped NU this season.
"We cannot get away with mistakes next week like we were able to today," said Schiller. "We already lost to Notre Dame and Ohio State once, and if we are going to reverse that we need to fence our best."
