Feb. 9, 2007

Durham, N.C. -

The UNC fencing team finished the men's competition in second place in day one of dual competition. The women's team competition will play out tomorrow in Card Gym on the campus of Duke University.

Head fencing coach Ron Miller stated that "the main thing was that throughout the season the foil team has been up and down and they have had a couple of rough meets where a lack of production may have cost us some close competition. They, the foil team, were feeling the pressure. Today in the early meet they fence well against Notre Dame; they fenced well but they just didn't win that many bouts but they were in the bouts. Then, against Duke, they didn't do that well again. Then after a little a break with some fresh air and some sunshine they came back renewed and they, the foil team, were the reason that we won these last two meets. We were still as consistent as we needed to be in sabre and epee but foil needed to step up and they did. In fact, they stepped up a lot against Air Force. We have been working on some new things but we were reluctant to try them early, but as the day went on they used it more and more and I think they have gained some confidence and that makes a big difference." Prior to today's competition the UNC men's team has totaled a 9-11 record while the Tar Heel women's team sits at 9-11.

In Carlyle Cup competition, to date, the Tar Heels lead the Blue Devils 7.5 -5.5.

At stake this weekend is one Carlyle Cup point. Both the Duke and UNC men's and women's teams will fence head-to-head. The point is earned by winning a majority of 54 bouts which evolves from the aggregate bout and subsequent team totals of the sabre, foil, and epee competition. In case of a tie the point is split. After todays men's competiton, the Blue Devils hold a 16-11 advantage over the Tar Heels.

Men's Team Results

UNC 15, Johns Hopkins 12

Foil, 3-6

Epee, 5-4

UNC 17, Air Force 10

Sabre, 8-1

Foil, 5-4

Epee, 4-5

UNC 11, Duke 16

Sabre 4-5

Foil, 1-8

Epee, 6-3

UNC 9, Notre Dame 18

Sabre 5-4

Foil, 1-8

Epee, 3-6

Saturday Women's Competition Schedule

9:00 to 10:00- Duke vs. Air Force, Notre Dame vs. UNC

10:00 to 11:00- Duke vs. Notre Dame, Air Force vs. Johns Hopkins

11:00 to 12:00 Noon- Duke vs. UNC, Notre Dame vs. Johns Hopkins

Break

1:00 to 2:00- UNC vs. Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame vs. Air Force,

2:00 to 3:00- Duke vs. Johns Hopkins, UNC vs. Air Force