PHILADELPHIA (March 5, 2026) -- The No. 11 Tufts University men's squash team started action at the 2026 College Squash Association (CSA) National Team Championships on Thursday morning, falling to No. 6 Columbia University 8-1 in the first round of action in the Potter Cup at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center.
With the loss, Tufts will now drop into the consolation draw and will take on Cornell University Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. in Philadelphia. Cornell was topped by No. 7 Drexel University Thursday 7-2 in the opening round.
The Jumbos were facing the Lions for the second time this season, with the first meeting coming in the season opener for both teams back on November 15, with Columbia winning that match 8-1 as well. The lone win for the Tufts came at the No. 3 position, as senior stalwart
Rohan Valia continued to get it done with a clinical three-game win over Franklyn Smith, 11-3, 11-9 and 11-9.
The win was the 10th of the season for Valia, as he improved to a stellar 8-4 at the No. 3 spot in the lineup. He also upped his career record fo 38-31 in the process, as that ranks second on the team among current Jumbo men's players.
Tufts would drop five matches in four games, as
Nachiket Desai took the third game over Shaurya Bawa at No. 2 but eventually fell with scores of 11-0, 11-8, 9-11 and 11-7. Admad Haq knocked off Tufts'
Milo Friedman in four games 11-8, 9-11, 11-3 and 11-1, while Jumbo No. 6 player
Mustafa Ayaz battled with Varun Fuloria before falling 11-7, 11-4, 10-12, 11-5.
Junior
Aarav Gill won the second game to tie the match at No. 7, but ended up taking an 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5 loss in a competitive battle, while
Shivin Kumar won the first game but was defeated at No. 9 8-11, 11-2, 11-5 and 11-6 to Thomas Soltanian.
Tufts will look for its first Potter Cup win and its first-ever win over Cornell University on Friday on Court E.
#6 Columbia University 8, #11 Tufts University 1
3/5/2026 at Philadelphia, PA (Arlen Specter US Squash Center)
1. Yusef Sheikh (COL) def. Santiago Carrillo (TUFTSMSQ) 11-8, 15-13, 11-4
2. Shaurya Bawa (COL) def.
Nachiket Desai (TUFTSMSQ) 11-0, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7
3.
Rohan Valia (TUFTSMSQ) def. Franklyn Smith (COL) 11-3, 11-9, 11-9
4. Ahmad Haq (COL) def.
Milo Friedman (TUFTSMSQ) 11-8, 9-11, 11-3, 11-1
5. Imad Athar (COL) def.
Jared Chin (TUFTSMSQ) 11-6, 11-9, 11-7
6. Varun Fuloria (COL) def.
Mustafa Ayaz (TUFTSMSQ) 11-7, 11-4, 10-12, 11-5
7. Laszlo Godde (COL) def.
Aarav Gill (TUFTSMSQ) 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5
8. Shaoqian Du (COL) def.
Ali Tarek (TUFTSMSQ) 11-9, 10-12, 11-9
9. Thomas Soltanian (COL) def.
Shivin Kumar (TUFTSMSQ) 8-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-6
Match Notes
Tufts University 12-7; National ranking #11
Columbia University 7-5; National ranking #6
2026 CSA National Team Championships - Round 1
T-2:00 A-200
--JUMBOS--
