ALFRED, NY – The Alfred University men's tennis team (6-4, Empire 8 3-2) closed out its nonconference slate on Monday with a 6-3 win over the Lakers of Oswego State on the William T. Brown Tennis Courts.
 
The Saxons jumped out to an early 2-1 lead in doubles play. The senior team of Peter Smock (Prattsburgh, NY/Prattsburgh) and Kyle Kemper (Oswego, NY/Oswego) took #2 doubles 8-3 to put AU on the board. Oswego bounced back with a win at #3 doubles before sophomores Ryan Brown (Olean, NY/Olean) and Logan Cross (Olean, NY/Olean) took #1 doubles 8-7 (8-6).
 
Cross added another win on the day at #2 singles, giving AU the 3-1 lead when he downed his opponent 6-3, 6-2. Brown followed suit, taking his match 6-4, 4-6, 1-0 (10-8). Smock sealed the Saxon victory 6-3, 6-4 at #1 singles before Kemper added one more win for good measure at #4 singles 7-6 (7-2), 6-3). The final two matches fell towards the Lakers, but it was too little too late, giving AU the win 6-3.
 
"Proud of the guys today and battle with a good Oswego team," Head Coach Jordan Crouch said. "With only one day of rest from out long trip this was a great win. I am looking forward to the rest of this week with this team."
 
The Saxons remain at home on Wednesday when they host the Cardinals of St. John Fisher College. If AU wins the match, they will seal a position within the Empire 8 Championship tournament. The men's tennis team has not made an appearance in the Empire 8 postseason since the 2006 season.