LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Matthew Begley (Pennington, NJ/Hopewell Valley Central) and Griffin Clark (Lititz, PA/Manheim Township) won their singles matches at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively, but the Rider University men's tennis team fell to Niagara, 5-2, Friday afternoon. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 2-14 (0-5 MAAC), while the Purple Eagles improve to 4-16 (1-4 MAAC). 

“The men and women came close to winning the doubles point, which might have given us more momentum going into the singles matches,” said Rider Head Coach Doug Potkay.

Clark made quick work of Jason Wisely, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 6, while Begley was pushed to the limit at No. 5 by Lukas Wenninger. After falling in the first set, 7-5, Begley took the second set, 7-5. The third set went to a tie-breaker, which Begley trailed, 9-6. He went on to win five-straight points to win the match, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (11-9). However, the Broncs fell in all three doubles flights and the remaining four singles flights, giving Niagara the 5-2 victory. 

The Broncs return to action Monday, when they travel to Loyola. First serve is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. 

Niagara University 5, Rider University 2

 Singles competition 

1. Fuentes, Felipe (NIAM) def. Popso, Chris (RID-M) 6-3, 6-0

2. Ozdemir, Taylan (NIAM) def. Levi, Adam (RID-M) 6-4, 6-4

3. Nadeau, Francis (NIAM) def. Van Herwarde, Jeremy (RID-M) 6-0, 6-2

4. Wilson, Josh (NIAM) def. Gildea, Brandon (RID-M) 6-4, 6-1

5. Begley, Matthew (RID-M) def. Wenninger, Lukas (NIAM) 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (11-9)

6. Clark, Griffin (RID-M) def. Wisely, Jason (NIAM) 6-2, 6-1

 Doubles competition 

1. Fuentes, Felipe/Nadeau, Francis (NIAM) def. Popso, Chris/Levi, Adam (RID-M) 7-6

2. Wilson, Josh/Wenninger, Lukas (NIAM) def. Begley, Matthew/Van Herwarde, Jeremy (RID-M) 6-4

3. Ozdemir, Taylan/Wisely, Jason (NIAM) def. Gildea, Brandon/Clark, Griffin (RID-M) 6-3

Match Notes:

Niagara University 4-16, 1-4 MAAC

Rider University 2-14, 0-5 MAAC