MADISON, N.J. - After a 2020-2021 season of restricted competition due to the pandemic, the Drew University fencing teams returned home to Simon Forum for the first of two weekends of the 2021 Drew Rangers Fencing Fall Invitational.

For the men's team, it was its opening competition of the season. And the season started off with a bang as they went 10-2 on the day.

"We have a very large freshmen class. We wanted to get them into action early so that they got a feel for the college game," said Head Coach Vincent Paragano. "I told them that it was like
having a new car. We wanted to go out and see what it would do on the open road. This has the potential to be a very, very good class."

The men scored multiple victories over the United States Naval Academy (19-8 and 21-6), Rutgers University (21-6 and 21-6), and Yeshiva University (22-5 and 19-8). They also went 3-1 against Vassar College, losing the first match 15-12 but coming back to win the next three (24-3, 16-11, and 21-6). They also topped the United States Military Academy 17-10. Their lone unanswered loss was to perennial rival Stevens Institute by a 16-11 margin.

"We were very happy with the first collegiate performances from newcomer foilists Morgan Mundahl, Brandon Mundahl and Aidan Montalbine, saberist Aiden Holmes and epee fencer Daniel Stevens," added Paragano. "We had to wait a year to finally get Aiden on campus and to work with him every day. He took a 'gap' year during the pandemic. He is just what we needed to make up for the loss of Luca Rampazzo to graduation. We think that Aiden is going to be the catalyst for the success of our saber squad over the next several years."

The Rangers also welcomed back saberist Ryan Baldi, who had a fine day for his first action in over two years due to injury.

The men will be back in Simon Forum on Nov. 7 for the second weekend of their invitational. Their upcoming opponents include Princeton University, Clemson University, Denison University, and the University of Florida, among others.

Meanwhile, Drew's women's team rebounded from a tough opening weekend at the Shark Tank Invitational at Long Island University last weekend and returned to its winning ways, going 5-2 on the day.

The team scored victories over the United States Military Academy (18-9), Rutgers University (21-6), Fairleigh Dickinson University (20-7), Yeshiva University (24-3), and the United States Naval Academy (17-10). However, they still could not find a way to overcome the firepower at Wagner College (17-10) and LIU (19-8). Their season record now sits at 6-7.

"We spent the week correcting the tactical problems that we had last weekend at LIU," said Assistant Coach Michael Bindas. "The epees worked especially hard to get better scoring opportunities. We also saw considerable progress in foil with Ashley George and Lauren Miglietta getting into closer, cleaner bouts. This will all come together as the season progresses."

Throughout the day the women were led by strong performances in epee from the line-up of team captain Sophia McGee, 2021 Division III All American Caira Blake, Emilie Reitinger, Brenna Behensky, and Grace McCarthy. This marked the return to action for McCarthy after sitting out the 2020-2021 campaign. Unfortunately, the Rangers epees were shorthanded and without the services of Amira Mutakabbir, who was injured in the last round of the "Shark Tank".

The Rangers also welcomed back saberist Candace Zola to the line-up after a one year absence. She anchored the saber squad throughout the second half of the day.

"Candace was looking more and more comfortable as the day went on," stated Assistant Coach Keri Ecker. "She was making good tactical moves. We started to see glimpses of the
Candace of old."

The women's team returns to action next Sunday at Simon Forum for the conclusion of its invitational. It will be facing off against Princeton University, Clemson University, University of Florida, United States Military Academy, Stevens, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Denison University.