POUGHKEEPSIE, NY  (April 3, 2010) - In the final home dual match of the season, the ITA no. 24 nationally ranked Vassar College men's tennis team suffered its first defeat of the season in a 5-4 nail-biter at the hands of no. 20 Trinity College Saturday afternoon at the Josselyn Tennis Courts. Knotted at four points apiece, today's match was decided by the third set of a battle at the no. 2 position between Vassar's Ben Guzick and Trinity's Anson McCook. McCook prevailed in the third set to clinch the match for the Bantams.

“We had some opportunities to beat a very good and underrated Trinity team today,” said head coach Ki Kroll, “and although we didn't convert all of them, we competed well.”

The ITA Northeast no. 8 Brewers (11-1) face Division I opponent Fordham on the road this Wednesday April 7 at 4:00 p.m. The Northeast No. 5 Bantams play a double-header this Saturday, April 10, hosting the no. 1 nationally ranked Middlebury at 10:00 a.m. followed by Brandeis on the road at 12:00 p.m.

Vassar took a 2-1 lead after doubles, winning at the no. 1 and no. 2 doubles positions. The brotherly duo of Ben Guzick and Andrew Guzick defeated the no. 7 doubles team in the country, Trinity's Spencer Feldman and McCook at no. 1 doubles. At the no. 2 position, Michael Mattelson and Max Willner knocked off Rich Bonfiglio and Dan Couzens 8-3.

“The intensity was up, we looked strong, and we put ourselves in a good spot after doubles,” said Kroll.

Senior captain Mattelson picked up the first singles point to give the Brewers a 3-1 advantage as he steamrolled for the win over Trinity's Spencer Feldman 6-4, 6-1 at the no. 1 position.

“Mike is really coming into his own,” said Kroll, “He is heating up and building confidence now.”

Junior Greg Katz put the Brewers up 4-2 with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Trinity's Adam Lanza.

“Greg is such a solid player at the five position,” said Kroll, “And I can count on him to be fired up for the big matches.”

Trinity picked up two points with wins at the no. 6 and no. 4 positions to even the match at 4-4 leaving only a third set between Vassar's Guzick and Trinity's McCook to decide the match. McCook clinched the match for the Bantams with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 victory at the no. 2 position, delivering Guzick his first dual match loss of the season.

“It's good to be in a position to win it,” said Kroll, “and Ben was a great guy to have in there for us. We came up a little short today but we'll learn from this match and there's always the next tough match.”

Trinity 5, Vassar 4

Doubles:

1) Ben Guzick/ Andrew Guzick (VC) def. Spencer Feldman/ Anson McCook (T) 8-6
2) Mike Mattelson/ Max Willner (VC) def. Rich Bonfiglio/ Dan Couzens (T) 8-3
3) Charles McConnell/ David Dessau (T) def. Greg Katz/ Josh Jasso (VC) 8-5

Order of Finish: 2, 3, 1

Singles:

1) Mike Mattelson (VC) def. Spencer Feldman (T) 6-4, 6-1
2) Anson McCook (T) def. Ben Guzick (VC) 6-2, 5-7, 6-2
3) Rich Bonfiglio def. Andrew Guzick (VC) 6-2, 6-2
4) Dan Couzens def. Max Willner (VC) 6-3, 6-4
5) Greg Katz (VC) def. Adam Lanza (T) 6-4, 6-3
6) David Dessau (T) def. Jeremy Arthur (VC) 6-0, 6-3

Order of Finish: 1, 3, 5, 6, 4, 2