Eighth-Ranked Fencing Posts a Record Mark of 11-1 at Northwestern Duals

Sunday, February 5

South Bend, Ind.

All Day

Temple University

Northwestern Duals

Auset Muhammad

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

Eighth-Ranked Fencing Posts a Record Mark of 11-1 at Northwestern Duals

2.5.17 | Women's Fencing

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - It was the best finish in 14 years and the most wins ever for eighth-ranked Temple fencing at the Northwestern Duals, as the Owls went 11-1 overall for the two-day competition including a 6-0 mark on the second and final day. Temple now stands at 25-8 for the season, surpassing its win total from a year ago with two dual meets left on the schedule.

Not since the 2003 squad went 9-1 at Northwestern had the Owls suffered only a single loss. This year it was to third-ranked Notre Dame, and by just three points. Temple defeated the two other Top 10 teams it faced - #4 Ohio State (21-6) and #9 Northwestern (15-12). The Owls also bested Stanford, a team that sits just two spots outside of the Top 10.

"The girls really built on yesterday's success and they knew what they needed to do," said head coach Dr. Nikki Franke. "They were very focused today, and able to be consistent with no let up against the different teams we faced which was key. Everyone contributed and everyone was a part of it. Some people fought through illnesses and it was good for everyone to see that kind of determination. It's just a good feeling for our team to know what we can accomplish when we work together."

The impressive day began with the Owls' best win against Northwestern. The sabre squad swept the Wildcats 9-0, but the epee squad was edged 5-4. Temple won just two bouts against Northwestern's powerhouse foil team, but senior Kristen Kemnitzer pulled out one of those in a match that went to priority (sudden death) after a tie, sealing the win for the Owls.

Temple rattled off its next four wins by scoring 20 or more points in each against Air Force (20-7), Detroit Mercy (27-0), Lawrence (24-3) and a limited Cal Tech squad (25-2).

The Owls defeated UC San Diego just 14-13 in a nail-biter a year ago, but had a much more comfortable lead this time around. That final match went 19-8 to Temple to close out the day at a perfect 6-0.

Sabre freshman Malia Hee finished 9-1 for the day, bringing her two-day total to 20-3. Sophomore Blessing Olaode finished strong at 8-1 on day two, as did senior Victoria Suber at 7-2. Freshman Kerry Plunkett went 8-3 for a two-day total of 16-5, and sophomore Jessica Rockford was a strong 5-1 on day two. Olaode, Plunkett and Hee were all a perfect 3-0 against #9 Northwestern.

Sophomore Auset Muhammad led the foil squad with an 11-4 day-two record, while Kemnitzer and freshman Kennedy Lovelace were both strong at 10-6.

For epee, sophomore Quinn Duwelius finished 8-1 for an impressive meet total of 17-2. Junior Safa Ibrahim posted a 2-1 mark vs. #9 Northwestern and went 7-1 overall for the day. Sophomore Fiona Fong also went 7-1, sophomore Ally Micek was 6-2 and freshman Camille Simmons was a perfect 5-0. Senior Alexandra Keft stepped out of her comfort zone to fence for the foil squad against Detroit Mercy, winning that bout and going 5-3 overall.

Next weekend the Owls return to the strip at the FDU Invitational, facing host FDU, Stevens, Johns Hopkins and Brandeis on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Northwestern Duals Results - Day Two

Temple 15, Northwestern 12
Foil: 2-7
Epee: 4-5
Sabre: 9-0

Temple 20, Air Force 7
Foil: 6-3
Epee: 8-1
Sabre: 6-3

Temple 27, Detroit Mercy 0
Foil: 9-0
Epee: 9-0
Sabre: 9-0

Temple 24, Lawrence 3
Foil: 8-1
Epee: 9-0
Sabre: 7-2

Temple 25, Cal Tech 2
Foil: 9-0
Epee: 7-2
Sabre: 9-0

Temple 19, UC San Diego 8
Foil: 4-5
Epee: 9-0
Sabre: 6-3