The Detroit Titans men's and women's fencing team opened the dual portion of the 2008-09 season Saturday afternoon at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. However, neither squad could come up with a victory against some steep competition as the men's team fell 25-2 against Yale and 18-9 to Vassar. The women's also fell 26-1 to Yale and 25-2 to Vassar. 

After only mustering two wins against Yale, the men's team turned a better effort against Vassar led by the foil team who went a perfect 9-0 as senior Craig Budzynski (Grand Rapids, MI/Forest Hills), sophomore Brad Coon (Jenison, MI/Hudsonville) and freshman Mike Purdy-Sachs (Port Huron, MI/Home School) each went 3-0. 

The women's team was led by senior senior Ashlee McLemore (Detroit, MI/Dominican), who recorded two wins against Yale and Vassar in the sabre bouts. 

The team will stay in New York and travel to West Point for a dual competition held on Sunday, Jan. 18.