ROCHESTER, NY – The Alfred University men's tennis team began Empire 8 action Saturday afternoon, dropping a 7-2 decision to Nazareth, at the Annette Shapiro Courts.
 
Alfred drops to 0-3 (0-1 Empire 8), while Nazareth wins its season and conference opener.
 
The Saxons posted victories at third doubles and third singles. In doubles action, sophomore Sam Cohen (Brighton, NY/Brighton) and sophomore Wes Dennison (Almond, NY/Alfred-Almond) defeated the duo of Ryan Lalik and Dominic Vito by an 8-4 score. At third singles, first year Isaac Little (Alfred, NY/Alfred-Almond) outlasted William Britton in three sets, 3-6, 7-5, 10-7.
In second doubles, the team of Little and senior Adam Shearer (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) went the distance against Britton and Tyler Luong, but fell by an 8-7 (7-4) score. Back at singles, senior Ryan Brown (Olean, NY/Olean) won the first set, but dropped the last two in a 6-3, 4-6, 7-10 loss to Isiah McMurray in second singles. Nazareth took first, fourth, fifth, and sixth singles in straight sets to take the match.
 
"We did well, playing in the first conference match in two years," said head coach Jordan Crouch. "Today was a beautiful day for tennis. There were lots of great points today in every match. Isaac played especially well and came back from losing the first set 3-6 and played a very gritty match for his first college win!"
 
The Saxons were originally scheduled to host Oswego in the home opener tomorrow, but that match is postponed due to poor incoming weather. The Saxons will next host Houghton from the William T. Brown tennis courts on Wednesday for a 4 p.m. start.