NEW YORK – The Vassar College squash team traveled into New York Sunday afternoon to take on Fordham University and New York University at Fordham. The Brewers dropped the match with the hosts, 8-1, before losing to NYU 9-0. The Vassar women on the team earned an exhibition win over NYU, 6-2.

                  In the opening match of the afternoon, the No. 49 Rams were able to earn the victory, though head coach Jane Parker noted that the match has gotten increasingly closer in the past few years. "We are getting closer to this team who have been ahead for the last two seasons," said Parker. "We should get chance for a rematch next Saturday at the inaugural Hudson Valley College Team Tournament. In the meantime, we will focus on filling in the tactical gaps in our practice sessions this coming week."

                  In the match with the Rams, there were plenty of exciting matches, despite the 8-1 score line. In No. 1 singles, Ricardo Espinosa (Quito, Ecuador/Colegio Americano de Quito) fought hard with Kincade Webster, dropping the bout 13-11, 11-7, and 11-7. Senior Alan Darer (Chestnut Ridge, NY/Rockland County) showed well at No. 6, rallying from being down two sets to none by earning an 11-1 win in the third game. Darer actually scored more total points (38-36) than his counterpart, but lost in four games.

                  The Brewers lone victory of the day came from newcomer Noah Kulick (Cambridge, MA/Beaver Country Day), as he dispatched of Ray Chen in four games. With the match tied at one game apiece, Kulick rattled off wins of 11-6 and 11-7 to earn his first collegiate victory. Ben Kurchin (Rochester, NY/Harley School) picked up a game as well at No. 8 for the Brewers.

                  Against the No. 41 Violets of NYU, the Brewers were unable to chalk up a victory, though Darer again fought hard at No. 6. Darer led 10-6 in the third set, but couldn't put his opponent away as Jay Prasad came back to clinch the match with a 12-10 win. In exhibition action, the Brewer women on the squad battled the NYU women, with Vassar chalking up a 6-2 victory.

                  Junior Karina Primelles (Mexico City, Mexico/American School Foundation) won in straight sets at No. 1 (3, 5, 6), while Carly Scher (Penn Valley, PA/Herriton) earned a four-game win at No. 2. Isabelle Bertram (Salt Lake City, UT/West) cruised to her fourth win of the year at No. 3 (3,4, 1), and Olivia Michalak (Chatham, NJ/Chatham) earned her first win of the campaign with scores of 11-5, 11-2 and 11-6.

                  The Brewer newcomers continued to fare well against the Violet women, as Roxanne Ringer (Ridgefield, CT/Home School) earned an 11-6, 11-4 and 11-0 straight-set triumph, while Margaret Walter (Ardsley-On-Hudson, NY/Phillips Exeter Academy) also prevailed in three games at No. 8.

                  Vassar College will host the Hudson Valley College Team Tournament this Saturday at 10 a.m. in action from Kenyon Hall.