Engineers Cut Fencing Squad; Crimson Stabbed in Epee Event

The Engineers fencing team yesterday defeated a solid Harvard squad 16-11 at the MIT gym.

MIT's victory was spearheaded by its 7-2 win in the epee competition. The Engineers also won in foil 5-4.

Harvard, led by freshman Dave Heyman and senior Rich Gillette, took the sabre event, however, 5-4.

Kill the Ump

Crimson captain Jim Goldenring blamed poor officiating in the sabre competition for the team's overall loss. "We should have the sabre 8-1. We were screwed," Goldenring said.

Harvard coach Branmir Zivkovic also blamed the officiating for the defeat. "The team knows what happened--they didn't lose to the fencers, they lost to the officials," he said.

But MIT coach Eric Sollee disagreed. "The officiating was no better or worse than usual," he said.

Zivkovic said the bright spot for Harvard was freshman David Merner's 3-0 performance with the foil. "Merner looked strong," Zivkovic added.

Captain Goldenring also cited Merner's performance and the work of veteran Rob Kaplan's return after a month-long bout with mono as the most encouraging signs for Harvard.

Kaplan won his first bout against MIT's top epee man but tired and lost his second.

Goldenring said the Harvard team was looking forward to February's rematch with the Engineers. "The score will be different," he promised.

The men's record is now 1-1. The squad last week pierced Army 16-11 in a victory that Goldenring said was more representative of the Crimson's potential.