The Penn State fencing team is on top of the fencing mountain no longer.

At least for the moment.

Notre Dame out-dueled the Penn State men's team yesterday in the third match of the day at the Notre Dame Duals to earn a 15-12 victory, exacting some revenge for last year's five-point victory by the Lions at NCAAs and extending the Irish's dual-meet win streak to 70.

The women's team finished its day unbeaten, winning the much anticipated match-up with the No. 2 Irish by a score of 16-11.

Neither the men nor the women had much trouble in any of their other matches throughout Saturday's competition. Penn State fencing coach Emmanuil Kaidanov could not be reached for comment.

The previously No. 1 ranked men's team opened the day with victories over Wayne State 24-3 and Northwestern 19-8 followed by the loss to the Fighting Irish.

It finished the day strong, however, coming back to defeat Air Force 16-11, and then pounding No. 4 Ohio State, 22-5, before finally defeating Cal State-Fullerton, 18-9, to wrap up the day.

The women did not have much trouble at all beating Wayne State by a 21-6 score, No. 7 Northwestern 17-10, Notre Dame, Air Force 23-4, No. 4 Ohio State 20-7 in another highly anticipated match-up, and finally Cal State-Fullerton 20-7 to finish the day.

Defending National Champion Nonpatat Panchan made his return to the Lions' lineup in the foil, posting a 12-2 record for the day while freshman Chris Miller posted an 11-3 mark.

Freshman Marten Zagunis turned out another excellent performance in the saber for the Lions, going 13-2 while All-American Amir Rahimi dueled to 9-4 record.

Leading the way for Penn State in the epee were Ethan Muri and two-time All-American Adam Wiercioch, who fought to 10-5 and 9-4 records, respectively.

For the women, freshman Katarzyna Trzopek went unbeaten, recording a perfect 14-0 mark in the epee. Trzopek has won 24 of her last 25 bouts, spanning 10 dual meets. Jessica Burke, the 2000 National Champion also fenced well, going 15-2.

Two time All-American Heather Brosnan was also strong for Penn State in the saber, going 15-2 while Austin O'Neill posted a 10-6 mark.

Meredith Chin led the way for the women in the foil, going 8-3 for the day.

The Lions will have next weekend off and will travel to Colorado Springs, Colo., for the Junior Olympics Feb. 14-17.