Men's squash captures CSA trophy

The men's squash team had three goals heading into this past weekend's CSA Championships at Yale: improve its 6-9 record to .500, play at peak level, and win the division.

The team achieved all three with resounding success as it went 3-0 over the weekend, concluding the run in a 5-4 victory over Connecticut College on Sunday in the division finals.

The team almost had to play in the championship game without junior Fernando Kriete who had been out of town due to a death in the family. Because the game was scheduled late in the day, Kriete was able to participate.

Even though the junior lost in a four game match at the six spot, the fact that he showed up to play allowed some of his teammates to drop further down in the lineup which gave Tufts a better chance to win.

"It was almost like destiny," senior co-captain Jesse Goldberg said. "Fernando had been out of town for about five days, and he had just gotten back. He had tests to study for and everything, but he drove two and a half hours out here by himself to play. It really meant a lot to us."

Sophomore Spencer Maxwell, playing the number one position, clinched the victory for Tufts by winning his match in four games.

Another sophomore, Tom Keidel, won easily in three games at the two spot and dominated his opponent.

Keidel believed the team's patience and smart approach were the keys to victory.

"We were a very patient team this weekend and that's what squash is about," Keidel said. "It's like hunting deer. You have to be real patient and wait for the shot. That's what we did. We waited till our opponents were tired and panting and that's when we went after them. We just played smart and that's why we won."

Though he lost a close five game match at the championships, senior co-captain Jordan Kolasinski was recognized at a banquet the previous evening for being named a top scholar athlete.

Senior Alex Busse played well and won easily with quality drop shots at the number seven spot.

"It was a real great match," Busse said. "Everyone played with a lot of heart. It was the best I played all season. I had lost to my opponent once before so this match was a clear improvement."

Like Keidel, Busse felt the team's focus was the main reason for notching the victory.

"One of the most important things in squash is mental toughness and we really capitalized on that this weekend," Busse said.

Goldberg came back from an 8-4 deficit in the third game of his match to win the game 9-8 and take the match in three.

"Being down 8-4, I told myself every point from then on is the most important one," Goldberg said. "I stuck with that mentality, and I just really wanted to win."

On Saturday, Tufts defeated the University of Virginia 7-2.

Freshman David Linz won a close match in the number eight spot.

"I think I played the best I did all season in the UVA match," Linz said. "I was down two games to none but I came back. I worked on playing consistently and hitting the ball deeper and it paid off."

In the first match of the weekend on Friday, Tufts handled Vassar easily, winning 8-1. Only Freshman Dominick Wong lost at the number nine spot.

Keidel hopes that the team's victory will get squash more recognition from the administration.

"We badly need some courts of our own," Keidel said. "Hopefully this victory will show we deserve our own courts. If we can achieve this success without courts, I think it would be great to see what we could do if we had some."

For the seniors, there was no better way to go out.

"I'm at a loss for words to describe what it felt like when we won," Goldberg said. "I couldn't ask for better teammates, they made me real proud today."

While the seniors are going out on a high note, the rest of the team is already looking forward to next season.

"We're all going to start training for next season real soon," Keidel said. "We're looking forward to it."