Feb. 24, 2008

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Northwestern's fourth-ranked women's fencing team earned a third-place finish at the team portion of the Midwest Conference Championships held Sunday and host by the University of Notre Dame.

Top-ranked Ohio State took home the title, edging out No. 2 Notre Dame by a slim 650-635 margin. The Wildcats finished with 610 points, well ahead of fourth-place Michigan (510).

Northwestern fell to the host Fighting Irish in the epee final and to Ohio State in the foil championship match. The Wildcats also earned a fouth-place standing in the sabre.

NU head coach Laurie Schiller was honored as the Coach of the Year, the fifth such time that he has earned the award.

Northwestern returns to action at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Detroit on Sunday.