NEW YORK, NY – Edging closer to their first win of the season, the Mount Saint Mary College men's tennis team dropped a 5-4 decision to City College of New York on Sunday in non-conference action. The Blue Knights fell to 0-4 overall while the Beavers improved to 5-1.

The Beavers seized a 2-1 lead after the doubles, taking close matches at first doubles and second doubles. Junior Danny Godfrey (West Babylon, N.Y.) and freshman Tom Curran (Washingtonville, N.Y.) led 6-4 and even served for the match at 7-6 before losing 9-7 in the first position. Senior Joe Meilak (Greenville, N.Y.) and freshman Mike McNicholas (Milton, N.Y.) rallied from a 6-3 hole to get it back to 7-7, but also lost 9-7 in the second slot. Junior Ian Jackson (Washington, N.J.) and freshman Zach Conlon (Huntington, N.Y.) rolled to an 8-3 win at third doubles.

In singles play, junior John Como (Wingdale, N.Y.) tied the match at two points each with a win (6-2, 6-3) at sixth singles. McNicholas fell at third singles (6-2, 6-0), but Conlon cruised to a win (6-0, 6-0) at fourth singles to even the match at three with three matches still in progress. Godfrey dropped two close sets (7-5, 6-4) to fall at first singles and then Jackson lost in two tiebreakers (7-6 (2), 7-6 (3)) to give CCNY the clinching point. Meilak played another gutsy singles match, fighting through an injury to prevail 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, and 6-4.

The Blue Knights pick back up with Skyline Conference play on Wednesday, April 8. The match is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start at Cronomer Park in Newburgh, New York.