HomeArticles2016 Men's National Team Championships (Hoehn Cup, B Div): Day 1 Report

2016 Men’s National Team Championships (Hoehn Cup, B Div): Day 1 Report

New Haven, CT — The Hoehn Cup (men’s B Division) kicked off the second weekend of the College Squash Association Team Championships.

With their highest ranking entering the tournament, 9th-ranked Drexel opened Team Championships against Brown. The Dragons are on a five-match winning streak, which included impressive regular season wins against Columbia, Cornell, and George Washington. Brown and Drexel had only played twice prior to today. The Bears and Dragons split those two matches, with Drexel recording a 5-4 victory in their last meeting in the 2013 – 2014 season. Today, Drexel advanced with a 9-0 victory over Brown. The score was a bit deceiving since four of the nine individual matches went to five games.

Princeton, the winner of the past two Hoehn Cups, enters this year’s event seeded 5th and ranked 13th in the nation.  With 4-5 regular season losses to Hoehn competitors Drexel, Cornell, and Franklin & Marshall, the Tigers understand that they need to work to bring another cup back to New Jersey. Franklin & Marshall, who is making their first Hoehn Cup appearance since 2010, was the first match for Princeton. The Diplomats, who won the Hoehn Cup in 1995 and 1996, have a two-match winning streak against Princeton. The Tigers were able to reverse their regular season results, advancing with a 6-3 victory over Franklin & Marshall.

At last season’s Hoehn Cup, George Washington earned their first victory over Navy. In the regular season rematch, Navy fell just short, losing 4-5 to the Colonials. In today’s match, George Washington made it three matches in a row over Navy. The Colonials earned a 6-3 victory over the Midshipmen today.

After three consecutive Summers Cup (C Division) titles, Middlebury’s seniors made their first appearance in the Hoehn Cup. Their quarterfinal competition was Cornell, who is seeking their fourth Hoehn Cup title. In November, Cornell defeated Middlebury, 8-1. In today’s match, Cornell improved on their regular season results against the Panthers. This time, the Big Red won 9-0.

In tomorrow’s semifinals, Drexel will face Princeton and Cornell will face George Washington at 2:30 PM. In the 9:00 AM consolation semifinals, Franklin & Marshall will meet Brown and Navy will face MIddlebury.

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