BROOKLYN, NY--Coming off capturing the first NCAA trophy in program history with a fourth-place finish at the 2021 NCAA Fencing Championships, the NJIT women's fencing team started off the 2021 campaign 6-0 after competing at the LIU Shark Tank Challenge on Sunday, October 24.

The Highlanders were perfect on the day, defeating LIU (15-12), Wagner (16-11), Drew (20-7), Yeshiva (25-1), Wellesley (14-13) and Stevens (18-9) to kickoff the season.

The day was highlighted by 2021 NCAA All-American rising junior Dominika Pawlowska and sophomore Paula Zugasti, who both defeated the 2021 NCAA Individual Epee Champion Laura Fekete.

Zugasti paced the epee squad with a 16-1 overall record followed by Pawlowska who went 14-3 and 2021 Elite 90 Award recipient Marina Arrese combined for a 13-2 mark.  The epee squad combined for a 37-7 overall record on the day (84% winning percentage).

In foil competition, Paloma Almodovar recorded a 15-3 overall record while newcomer Elena Fernandez Negron, making her collegiate debut, posted a 10-8 mark.

Two-time NCAA All-American Dorottya Berczy led the saber squad with a 16-2 overall mark while Cassandra Sehic finished with a 15-3 overall record.

NJIT will return to action on November 7 when the Highlanders compete at the Drew Invitational in Madison, NJ.