ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Tennis dropped a tough 6-3 decision to the visiting Neumann College Knights in an early-season non-league match. The Eagles won at the top of both the singles and doubles order, but the visiting Knights claimed close wins in the middle of the order to earn the win.

Ryan Hamilton and Karl Finkbeiner combined for a convincing 8-2 win at first doubles. Hamilton then controlled his match with a variety of shots to earn a 6-1, 6-4 win at the first singles spot. Finkbeiner was able to close out games in a 6-1, 6-1 match that was closer than the score at second singles.

"Ryan and Karl were both sharp today," Head Coach Mark Spangler said of the afternoon. "Karl made big steps forward as a doubles player last year and he and Ryan are starting to work really well together and both guys did a nice job controlling points in their singles matches."

Connor Mooney and Matt Cradduck had several match points in the pivotal second doubles match, but the Knights fought off each one and escaped with a 9-8 (7-5) win. The loss at second doubles meant the Eagles would have to win four singles matches to win the match. The Knights scored decisive wins at the final three spots in the order before Mooney was midway through his opening set at third singles.

Mooney led early in his match, but he dropped the opening set 6-4 and fell in the second set by the same score.

The Eagles are off until next Monday, when they are slated to travel to Bryn Athyn College