HARTFORD – In a thrilling match, seventh-seed Middlebury College knocked second-seed Tufts University out of the winner's bracket of the NESCAC Men's Squash Championship with a 5-4 quarterfinal victory on Saturday at Trinity College.
Tufts was down 4-1 early, but stormed back to tie the match at 4-4. Middlebury's Nate Moll then won the #4 match in five games to give the Panthers the victory.
The Jumbos drop into the consolation round, where they will play sixth-seed Colby College later on Saturday at 6 pm. Middlebury and third-seed Bowdoin College will meet in the semis at 6 pm.
Tufts was without their #1 player Harry Charlton. However, his twin brother Sam Charlton got things started for the Jumbos today with a quick 11-4, 11-3, 11-6 win in the ninth position. Middlebury won the next four matches though - at #6, #1, #8 and #3 – to take a 4-1 lead and need just one more victory to clinch the match.
Tufts' comeback started in the seventh match where Jumbo Konrad LaDow won 13-11, 11-6, 11-3 to make the team score 4-2. Kerwin Teh followed with an 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8 win at #2 pulling the Jumbos within 4-3. Tufts' #5 Dillon O'Shea (pictured) then tied the team score at 4-4 with an 11-9, 11-1, 8-11, 11-9 victory.
With the match coming down to Tufts' Marco Rodriguez versus Middlebury's Moll, the Panther won dramatically 11-6, 12-14, 6-11, 13-11, 11-1.
Tufts' record dropped to 5-5 overall, while the Panthers improved to 4-8. The Jumbos will continue to pursue their best-ever finish at the NESCAC Championship. They have been sixth twice.
