Jan. 18, 2009

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Tenth-ranked Williams squashed the hopes of No. 12 Navy capturing its first win over the Ephs since 1993, as Williams turned in a 7-2 victory over the Midshipmen in squash action Sunday morning at Halsey Field House in Annapolis. The Mids dropped to 18-3, while the Ephs improved to 5-4 on the year.

"We had an excellent effort today, however it was not the result we wanted," said Navy head coach Craig Dawson. "We had opportunities in almost every match to win, but it was just one or two points that we needed and couldn't close out the match when we needed to.

"We had a great crowd on hand to cheer us on, including the Commandant. We really appreciated the support."

Navy opened the day with a victory behind No. 1 player Nils Mattsson (Spring House, Pa.), who cruised past Williams junior Ethan Buschsbaum, 9-6, 9-6, 9-5. Second-year standout Allan Lutz (McLean, Va.) pitched in a five-game win at the No. 2 position, earning a come-from-behind victory over freshman William Morris. Morris built a 2-0 lead, forcing Lutz to win three straight to take the match. It was a challenge Lutz was happy to oblige, as he, indeed, won the last three games, 9-1, 9-4, 9-7, to take the match.

Unfortunately, it would be the last win by the Mids, as Williams fought off Navy on its home courts. Navy came up empty at the No. 8 and 9 positions despite a valiant effort from seniors Michael Beautyman Jr (Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) and team captain Christopher Zipf (Gladwyne, Pa.). Beautyman Jr jumped out to a 2-1 lead, winning games one and three, however Jeremy Hermann was able to turn in victories in the final two games to claim the match. Meanwhile, facing a 0-2 deficit, Zipf pushed Thomas Marshall to five games after posting 9-6 and 9-2 wins in games three and four. Marshall, though, took the final game, 9-6, to earn the win.

The Midshipmen will be back in action next weekend when it heads north to get in four matches in three days. Navy will open up the weekend with a Friday battle at Connecticut College beginning at 6:00 pm. On Saturday, the Mids will face Colby (10:00 am) and host Yale (2:00 pm), while closing out the weekend on Sunday at Vassar (12:00 pm) in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.


#10 Williams 7, #12 Navy 2 • Jan. 18, 2009 • Annapolis, Md.
1 Nils Mattsson (N) def. Ethan Buschsbaum (W) 9-6, 9-6, 9-5
2 Allan Lutz (N) def. William Morris (W) 8-10, 7-9, 9-1, 9-4, 9-7
3 George Miller (W) def. Ben Mantica (N) 10-8, 9-1, 10-8
4 Will Gruner (W) def. Brad Seidel (N) 9-0, 9-3, 9-3
5 Christian Henze (W) def. Allen Hartley (N) 9-5, 10-8, 9-4
6 Bernard Yaros (W) def. Justin Langan (N) 9-3, 5-9, 9-5, 9-4
7 Cameron Henry (W) def. Will Pappas (N) 9-6, 9-2, 9-6
8 Jeremy Hermann (W) def. Michael Beautyman Jr (N) 3-9, 9-6, 9-10, 9-7, 9-4
9 Thomas Marshall (W) def. Christopher Zipf (N) 9-6, 9-3, 6-9, 2-9, 9-6

###Go Navy###