While most of the Brandeis community was searching for a vacant computer or a quiet spot in the library, the fencing teams were preparing Gosman gymnasium for the Brandeis Invitational on Sunday. The Judges defended their home turf with a fervor as both teams finished a respectable third out of six.The women crept past Boston College and Brown 14-13 and overpowered Vassar 18-9. The afternoon stretch proved to be too much for the small team, as it fell to MIT 19-8 and St. John's 17-10.

"We finished about as well as we could have," Coach Bill Shipman said. "It was a closer match than I expected [against Brown], but I'm very proud of the women for pulling it out in the end."

The women's team is smaller than it has been in past years due to a number of injuries this season. Although the team works hard to overcome this obstacle, it proves to be a significant detriment in every competition.

In a fencing competition, the scores of each of the three weapons squads are combined to produce the final team score.

The Judges usually win the most bouts in foil because it is their most experienced squad. MIT sparred well, however, beating the Judges 19-8 in the foil competition.

Stefanie Aucoin '08 and Chantal Dewey '07 fenced exceptionally well in the tournament, both finishing with 11-3 records for the day.

"It was a very good team event," Aucoin said. "I thought everyone fenced equally well."

The men matched the women's results in the Invitational, sweeping their three morning competitions, Boston College 22-5, Brown 17-10 and Vassar 19-18.

An intense set of bouts against MIT left the Judges one win short of a victory as they finished 14-13 against the Beavers, and top-ranked St. John's defeated Brandeis 24-3 in the final contest of the day.

The most seat-gripping bout of the day came when Kristian Cardillo '06 battled for the win against MIT. The teams were tied 13-13 as Cardillo entered his last duel. After an impressive performance, the foilist gave up a close match, finishing 4-5 overall.

"He did a great job," Shipman said. "Any one win in the competition would have sealed it, but it happened to fall on him."

Captain Ben Rostoker '05 was 11-2 during the invitational. The Brandeis men will likely send the maximum of three fencers to the regional tournament this year. In order to qualify, an individual must win at least 30 percent of their season bouts.

On the women's side, the outcome for regionals is less certain.

"It's a long way off and not an easy task, but we'll get there," Shipman said.

In addition to the shortage of fencers, the women also have to deal with a larger number of competitors than the men.

The Judges credit some of their success to the exceptional support from their parents this season. Twelve students had one or both parents present at the Invitational, many traveling from different states.

The Judges host Harvard University on Wednesday. The men suffered a narrow 15-12 defeat last year, and the women earned a close victory over the Crimson.

"They will be looking for retribution," Shipman said.