Statesmen Win Conroy Cup
21 February 2012 Statesmen Win Conroy Cup
The Hobart College squash team upset top-seeded Tufts 5-4 to win the Conroy Cup in the D Division of the College Squash Association Team Championships this morning.
The Statesmen, ranked No. 26 in the most recent CSA rankings and the No. 2 seed in the CSA D Division, improved to 13-18 overall, and avenged a 5-4 loss to No. 25 Tufts earlier this season in the 2012 Amherst/Mt. Holyoke/Smith Round Robin. Hobart defeated Colgate 8-1 in the first round, and edged Northeastern 5-4 yesterday to earn its spot in the final.
After the first three matches this morning, the Statesmen were down 2-1. Sophomore William Boyleposted the first win for Hobart, topping his Jumbo opponent 11-5, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9 at No. 6. First-yearMcGee ONeilfell in four games at No. 3 and first-yearCesar Peraltafell in three at No. 9.
At No. 5, seniorKevin Kentlost his first game 8-11, but rallied to win 11-9, 15-13, 11-9. JuniorDaniel Pelaezsecured a win in four games at No. 2. His victory changed the tone of the entire match for the Statesmen. He defeated Alex Nalle 11-9, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7. Nalle had swept Pelaez in three games last time the Statesmen and Tufts met this season. Senior Willis Stephenswas down two games, rallied to tie it up at 2, but was edged in the final match (11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 9-11, 12-10). After six matches, the overall score was tied, 3-3.
JuniorEdgardo Gonzaleznotched a four-game win at No. 4. He defeated his Tufts opponent 12-10, 11-3, 10-12, 11-9. SeniorCorey Kabot, who was battling an injury from yesterdays match, lost at the top spot. The overall score was tied again this time at 4-4. SeniorGrant Bercariclinched the win for Hobart with a 3-1 victory at No. 7. He came out on top 11-8, 11-2, 7-11, 11-8.
This was the third year in a row that the Statesmen advanced to the Conroy Cup final, but in the previous two years, Hobart was edged by their opponent.