Messinger, Berman claim UAA Fencer of the Week honors

Messinger, Berman claim UAA Fencer of the Week honors
WALTHAM, Mass. – Brandeis University senior Zoe Messinger of Short Hills, N.J., and sophomore Noah Berman of Palo Alto, Calif., have been selected as University Athletic Association Fencers of the Week for their performances during the week of Jan. 27.

      Messinger, a sabre fencer and senior captain, helped the Brandeis women's fencing team to a 5-2 week. On Jan. 23, she posted two wins in a 20-7 victory over Wellesley College. At the second Northeast Fencing Conference meet of 2012-13, held at Brown University on Jan. 26, Messinger went 11-3 as the Judges defeated Smith and Dartmouth by 21-6 scores, Vassar by a 16-11 mark and Tufts by a 14-13 margin. Brandeis also fell to host Brown, 24-3, and Boston College, 20-7. Overall on the season, Messinger leads the sabre squad with a 45-12 record. As a team, the Brandeis women are 12-6, 9-3 in the NFC. They currently rank in fourth place in the conference with one more meet, though their schedule is complete.

      Berman, a foil fencer, went 8-2 at the Northeast Conference. The Judges rolled to three of their wins, defeating Tufts, 21-6; Vassar, 23-4; and Dartmouth, 19-8. In the toughest match of the competition, they overcame a 13-10 deficit to defeat Boston College, 14-13. Brandeis also suffered a 20-7 loss to host Brown University. In the win over BC, with the Judges trailing, 13-10, Berman won the final foil bout of the match by a 5-3 score, allowing the sabre squad to finish off the rally against the Eagles with three more wins. Overall this season, Brandeis is 8-6, 7-3 in the NFC. With their portion of the schedule complete, they are in fourth place with one more meet to go. Berman leads the foil squad with a 34-10 record this season.

      Messinger is a 2009 graduate of Millburn High School. She is the daughter of Robert and Hilary Messinger, Short Hills, N.J.

      Berman is a 2011 graduate of Palo Alto High School. He is the son of Stuart Berman and June Bower, Palo Alto, Calif.