HARTFORD, CT – Today the Williams Men's squash played their final match of the season against Western Ontario and lost 7-2, leaving them with a final ranking of 12
th in the Nation. It was not the result they were looking for, but there were still many close matches up and down the ladder.
Starting off the first round for the Ephs was
Cameron Darnell, who had a slow start to the early morning and lost 3-0.
Asher Leavy also had a slow start and lost 3-0 to a talented opponent. Last on in the first round was Co-Captain Will Evans, who had a brutal five game match. After winning the first 11-6, he dropped the next two games 11-5, 11-7. However, he made big push in the fourth game, playing some great squash and won 11-8, but couldn't close out the match and ultimately lost in a close fifth game 11-9.
Starting off the second round for the Ephs was
John Nicholson, who won the first game 11-8 with some tactically smart squash. However, he strayed from the game plan and lost the next three games 11-9, 11-9, 11-5. Next up was
Pierce Henderson, who had an extremely close five game match. After winning the first 11-5, the second game went to a tiebreak where his opponent just managed to squeeze out the win 17-15. Pierce had a momentarily loss of focus and dropped the third, but then came back from 10-6 down in the fourth to win 12-10. However, he could not close it out and lost the fifth game 11-8.
And starting off the third and final round for the Ephs was
Alex Akbari, who showed his tough mentality in his match, winning his the first game 16-14. He then won the second 11-4, but due to some unforced errors lost the third closely 13-11. However, Alex would ultimately win the fourth 13-11 with some well placed drops. Next up was
Jack Lee, who toughed out some close tiebreak games to win 3-1. After losing the first 12-10, he regrouped and won the next two 12-10, 12-10, before closing it out 11-7. And last on for the Ephs was their esteemed senior Co-Captain
Udai Pal, representing Williams for his final match. He faced a talented opponent and lost the first two games. However, he used every shoot in his book in the third to win 11-9. Unfortunately, he lost the fourth game11-8.
It was a tough result for Williams, but it should not take away from an overall great season. They placed 12
th in the Nation, which is higher than last year, and showed everybody that Williams Men's squash is a team to look out for. The team is also noteworthy for their leadership this year, Co-Captains Will Evans and
Udai Pal, as they never failed to support and fire up their players. Now they look to train over the off-season and come back even stronger next year.
