EVANSTON, Ill. -- The fourth-ranked Cornell fencing team, already holding its highest ranking in program history, topped three ranked teams, including No. 2 Notre Dame, to remain unbeaten on the season with an 8-0 day at the Northwestern Duals on Saturday at Ryan Fieldhouse. The Big Red improved to 27-0 on the season, surpassing the school record for dual meet wins (24) and moving within two victories of the longest win streak to begin a season by a Cornell varsity team in any sport.

Cornell toppled the second-ranked Fighting Irish 15-12 and also defeated No. 6 Ohio State (16-11) and No. 12 Stanford (20-7) to highlight the day, along with clean sweeps of Cleveland State and Wayne State (27-0). The Big Red also knocked off Lawrence (26-1), UC San Diego (22-5) and Incarnate Word (21-6) in remaining unbeaten on the year. 

The saber squad was completely dominant, winning 63 of its 72 bouts on the day (.875)), including a decisive 8-1 win over Notre Dame to clinch the win. The Fighting Irish otherwise took narrow wins in epee (5-4) and foil (6-3), the Big Red's only loss in a weapon all day. foil fencers went 58-14, while epeeists were 53-19. 

Cornell enters day two of the round-robin event needing two wins to match the 1970 Cornell hockey team that went uneaten and tied in finishing 29-0-0 for the most consecutive wins to begin a season. Fencing can run past that mark with five scheduled matches, including opening the day with contests against the host Wildcats, ranked eighth nationally, as well as No. 14 North Carolina. The Big Red will also fence No. 9 Temple, Air Force and will see Cleveland State for a second time in two days.

Seven different fencers had at least 10 bout victories throughout the day, and all 16 that saw competition boasted a .500 record or better.