PHILADELPHIA–The NJIT men's and women's fencing teams opened the 2023 season at the Philadelphia Invitational.

The two-day event was held at Temple (Friday) and UPenn (Saturday) with the NJIT women finishing 4-3 with victories over Sacred Heart (16-11), Lafayette (17-10), Haverford (22-5) and Fairleigh Dickinson (24-3).  The NJIT men went 3-4 with wins over SHU (21-6), Lafayette (24-3) and Haverford (20-7).  

The NJIT women were led by Paula Zugasti who recorded a 19-2 overall record in the women's epee competition (90.48%) followed by Dominika Pawlowska who went 14-1 (93.33%).  The epee squad combined for a 47-16 overall record (74.60%).

Senior Dorottya Berczy paced the saber squad with a 12-7 overall record and Paloma Almodovar led the foil squad with an 11-6 mark.

Senior Cristian Candescu combined for 16 wins (76.19%) in the men's foil competition followed by Kevin Katayama with 15 wins (75.00%).  The foil squad registered a 41-22 overall record.

In the epee competition, Robert Hondor and Niels Roubailo each notched 13 wins and freshman Adrian Figueredo paced the saber squad with 13 victories.

The two teams will return to action on January 29 at the Eric Sollee Invitational in Massachusetts.