The Tufts University women’s fencing team kicked off their 2025-26 season with a bang, securing five impressive wins at the Vassar Invitational in Poughkeepsie, NY, on November 9, 2025. But here’s where it gets interesting: while they dominated in many matches, their losses against Wagner, Yale, and Cornell raise questions about their strategy against top-tier opponents. Could this be a turning point for the team, or just a minor setback? Let’s dive in.
The Jumbos emerged victorious against Drew University (24-3), Sacred Heart University (24-3), Yeshiva University (27-0), Lafayette College (25-2), and Fairleigh Dickinson University (19-8). However, they faced tougher challenges against Wagner College (14-13), Yale University (18-9), and Cornell University (18-9), all of whom proved to be formidable foes. Despite these setbacks, the team’s overall performance was nothing short of remarkable.
Breaking it down by weapon, the foil and saber squads each secured 53 wins out of 72 bouts, boasting a stellar .736 winning percentage. The epee team, while slightly behind, still delivered a solid performance with a 44-28 record (.611). Collectively, the Jumbos amassed a 150-66 record (.694) across individual matches, showcasing their depth and versatility.
Senior All-American Karen Bei led the charge in epee, securing 14 wins against just four losses (.778). Her performance was a highlight, proving why she’s a cornerstone of the team. First-year Emily You also made her mark, winning 12 epee matches with a .600 winning rate. Junior tri-captain Mikayla Joseph contributed 10 epee victories, while first-year Olivia Judicke impressed with an 8-3 record (.727).
In the saber division, first-year Emily Xu stood out with a 12-4 record (.750), signaling a bright future for the team. Asher Boynton, another first-year, debuted with an 11-6 record, while co-captains Anahat Bawa (five wins) and Olympe Jean (four wins) added to the saber squad’s success.
The foil division saw sophomore Jess Charalel dominate with an 11-1 record (.917), while first-year Kiki Liu remained undefeated at 10-0. Katie Han (10-2, .833) and Chloe Wang (8-1, .889) also delivered strong performances. Tri-captain Saanvi Kapoor and Layla Roy each secured four victories, with Sophie Guan and Emily Yeung contributing two wins apiece.
And this is the part most people miss: Even in their losses, the Jumbos showed glimpses of brilliance. Against Yale, the saber team pulled off a 5-4 win, with Boynton leading the charge. Bei secured two epee wins against Yale, and Xu picked up two saber wins against Cornell. In the close loss to Wagner, Xu, Kapoor, Han, Roy, and Bei each won twice, with the foil team taking a 6-3 edge.
The 19-8 victory over FDU was another standout moment, with Bei securing three epee wins, Bawa, Boynton, and Xu each contributing two saber wins, and Guan and Wang adding two foil victories.
As the Jumbos prepare for the Western Invitational at the Air Force Academy on November 22-23, one can’t help but wonder: Can they build on this momentum, or will their losses against top teams become a recurring theme? What adjustments do you think the team should make to tackle tougher opponents? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a discussion!
