In a showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, Haverford College secured a narrow 5-4 victory over Connecticut College in the CSA Women’s Match of the Week. The contest, held at Vassar College on Saturday, November 23, showcased the grit and determination of two closely ranked teams, with Haverford ranked #28 in the country and Connecticut College sitting just ahead at #26.

The first round of matches saw a methodical start, with both teams trading wins. Haverford’s Laine Reshefsky got her team on the board first with a composed performance in the #9 position. Connecticut College’s Crystal Dixon quickly equalized with a win at #6, and Gwyneth Perez-Perez secured a victory at #3, nudging Connecticut College ahead 2-1. While the opening matches hinted at a close contest, it wasn’t until the middle rounds that the tension began to rise.

Haverford’s Ofri Geva squared the match with a victory at #7, only for Connecticut College’s Miranda Medina to reclaim the lead after a hard-fought win at #4. Refusing to back down, Haverford’s Matilda Chartener dominated at #8 to bring the score to 3-3. The back-and-forth momentum underscored the teams’ parity, setting the stage for a gripping conclusion.

The energy reached a crescendo as the final matches unfolded. At #2, Haverford’s Catherine Fortin displayed remarkable endurance and mental toughness, prevailing in a five-game marathon to give her team a 4-3 lead. Connecticut College’s Crystal Dixon responded with equal determination, taking her own five-game thriller to tie the match at 4-4.

All eyes turned to the decisive #1 matchup between Haverford’s Joelle Phuah and Connecticut College’s Mariam Anwar. With everything on the line, Phuah rose to the occasion, delivering a commanding four-game victory to clinch the match for Haverford. Her performance embodied the resilience and focus that defined her team’s effort throughout the day.

After the match, Haverford head coach Niki Clement praised her team’s preparation and effort. “The team knew that Conn was going to bring a strong lineup and that we’d have to work hard and run down every ball in order to win. There was a lot of great play that day from both teams.”

Clement added “I was happy for Joelle Phuah to win the fifth point for Haverford, especially when it was tied 4-4. She cares deeply for her team, and I know that she wanted to win for her teammates. I am grateful to have a group of players who take seriously the responsibility of representing Haverford College and their team every time they step on court.”

The win marks a pivotal moment for Haverford, allowing them to close the first half of their season on a high note. The confidence gained from such a tightly contested match will undoubtedly carry into their busy second half of the season, which resumes in January.

The college squash season is up and running, and Week 3, running from November 21 to 27 offers an exciting slate of matches as teams push forward in their campaigns. From rising rivalries to standout performances, this weekend promises plenty of thrilling competition and moments to watch for. Stay tuned for updates and highlights as the action unfolds!

You can view the upcoming matches for Week 3 (November 21 to November 27) below:

Match of the Week

Women

No. 28 Haverford College vs. No. 26. Connecticut College

The CSA Women’s Match of the Week highlights the Haverford College Fords, ranked 28th, taking on the Connecticut College Camels, ranked #26. The match is set for Saturday, November 23, at 1:00 p.m. and will be played at a neutral site, Vassar College. Both teams are eager to make a statement, setting the stage for a tightly contested showdown.

Connecticut College holds recent momentum, having secured victories in both meetings against Haverford last season. However, the Fords are determined to reverse this trend, aiming to replicate their November 2022 win over the Camels. With closely matched lineups and a history of intense battles, this showdown is set to be a highlight of the week.

Men

No. 18 Colby College vs. No. 16 Naval Academy

The CSA Men’s Match of the Week showcases Colby College, ranked #18, hosting the #16 Naval Academy in a highly anticipated showdown. The match is set for Saturday, November 23, at 1:00 p.m. on Colby’s home courts. With both teams aiming to solidify their place in the national rankings, this early-season clash promises intense competition and plenty of drama.

Navy has had a stellar start to the season, jumping from #20 in the preseason rankings to their current spot at #16, leapfrogging Colby in the process. Meanwhile, this marks the season opener for a strong Colby squad eager to reclaim a higher position in the standings. The two teams have faced each other only once in recent history, with Colby emerging victorious, adding to the stakes for this encounter. Navy aims to defend their rankings rise, while the Mules are hungry for an upset on home turf. Fans won’t want to miss this pivotal match!

The order of play for Week 3 (November 21–27) is as follows:

3-Court System
3,2,1 / 6,4,5 / 9,7,8

5-Court System
2,1 / 4,3 / 5,6 / 8,7 / 10,9

You can view all past results from the 2024-25 CSA season here:

The CSA has released updated team rankings, reflecting all match results played through Week 2 of the 2024-2025 season. With a surge of activity in Week #2, including 56 varsity matchups, the rankings have been adjusted manually to account for head-to-head results.

Two notable matches led to ranking adjustments this week. On the women’s side, Tufts moved up to #12 after an impressive win over Georgetown (#13). For the men, Haverford’s narrow 5-4 upset of Dickinson brought a slight reshuffling in the rankings.

These rankings provide an evolving snapshot of team standings as the season unfolds. Check out the latest updates here:

As the schedule intensifies, every match will play a critical role in shaping the rankings. Stay tuned for future updates!

Week 2 of competition brought a flurry of activity, with 56 varsity matchups underscoring the intensity of college squash. November 15 marked a milestone for the season as the Ivy League and NESCAC schools officially began their seasons, adding to the packed schedule. Among the highlights was the Pennsylvania State Championships, an event that continues to foster state-level rivalries and competitive excellence.

The Princeton men’s team christened their newly opened state-of-the-art squash facility with a matchup against Navy, kicking off a new chapter for the program. Meanwhile, the University of Virginia hosted a challenging weekend, welcoming Columbia and Yale for some of the toughest competition of the weekend. The UVA vs. Yale women’s match stood out, with each of the top six matches going to five games. Similarly, the UVA vs. Yale men’s match was equally compelling. Despite missing one of their top players, UVA pushed #2-ranked Yale with three matches going to five games and four more extending to four games. These matches showcased the razor-thin margins of competition at this elite level.

There were several closely contested matches across the league. The Tufts men’s team secured a significant win against Western Ontario, while Rochester edged out MIT in a tight 5-4 battle. Haverford men also delivered a strong performance with a 5-4 victory upset over Dickinson. On the women’s side, Dartmouth narrowly defeated Georgetown in another 5-4 matchup, and F&M prevailed over Chatham in a similarly close contest.

With the season now in full swing, this weekend provided a glimpse of the competitive energy we can expect in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned for more as teams settle into their rhythms and rivalries evolve.

Matches of the Week 

Women
No. 13 Tufts defeats No. 12 Georgetown
Read More…

Men
No. 6 UVA defeats No. 8 Columbia
Read More…

A full list of results can be found here: Men’s Results & Women’s Results.

In the CSA Men’s Match of the Week, the University of Virginia men’s squash team made a resounding statement with a 6-3 victory over Columbia University at the McArthur Squash Center at Boar’s Head Sports Club. With both teams carrying lofty expectations and top-10 national rankings – UVA ranked #6 and Columbia ranked #8 – this early-season matchup promised excitement.

For UVA, this win marked a strong start to the season, affirming their #6 ranking and their ambitions to be a major contender this year. After falling to Columbia twice last season, including a 5-4 loss at the National Team Championships, the Cavaliers showcased their talent and depth in this performance – with a mix of CSA veterans and talented rookies, UVA capitalized on their home-court advantage to secure the win.

The match began with UVA taking an early lead, as John Paul Tew and Ewan Harris earned decisive 3-0 victories at the #2 and #8 positions, respectively. Columbia’s Thomas Soltanian kept the Lions within reach with a win at #4, leaving the score at 2-1 in favor of UVA after the opening matches.

Karim Elbarbary extended UVA’s lead in the next set of matches with a confident 3-1 win at the #1 position. However, Columbia’s Zach Nam answered back with a hard-fought four-game victory over Dylan Moran at #5. With the team score at 3-2, UVA’s Francis Hajek stepped up in the #9 position and delivered a gritty five-game victory, pushing the Cavaliers to a 4-2 advantage.

The clinching moment came when freshman Juan Jose Torres, playing at #3, won his maiden CSA match in straight games, earning the fifth match for UVA and sealing the victory for the Cavaliers.

Assistant Coach Grant White praised the team’s preparation and effort, stating: “This team has trained with a phenomenal amount of intensity, purpose, and passion since our opening practice back at the end of August. So today’s win over Columbia is one that they absolutely deserved and one that their coaches were proud and gratified to see them take. The composure that our guys showed in the toughest moments was key to the result. We competed at every position with the same determination that has characterized our practices, our challenge matches, and our overall team mentality.”

He continued, “In the six wins we took today, we showed the range of talents and strengths that we possess. Talk about being able to pick up wins every which way, the two matches that sealed it for us are a case in point. An absolute grind by fourth-year co-captain Evan Hajek and a few minutes later, first-year Juan Torres turns in a decisive 3-0 win for the clincher. That sort of capacity to produce points across class years, ladder positions, and styles of play is a powerful statement.”

Columbia, though falling short in this match, proved why they are consistently regarded as one of the top teams in College Squash Association. Their players battled fiercely, showing the depth and resilience that make them a perennial threat. Despite the result, the Lions’ performance underscores their potential to challenge top teams this season.

With this victory, UVA sets the tone as a team to watch this year and can celebrate a confidence-boosting win, while Columbia will use this early challenge as fuel for the road ahead.

On Friday evening at the Tufts Squash Center, the #13-ranked Tufts University took on #12-ranked Georgetown University in a season opener that had all the hallmarks of a classic. Fans were treated to an evening of nail-biting action, heart-stopping comebacks, and epic battles that defined the spirit of collegiate squash. When the dust settled, Tufts emerged victorious with a 6-3 win in a match that will be remembered for its drama and intensity.

From the start, the energy in the arena was electric as players from both teams battled for every point. Tufts gained early momentum with wins at the #8 and #4 positions, both decided in grueling five-game marathons. Indira Moshi and Riddhi Joshi showed incredible composure under pressure, clawing back from 2-1 deficits to deliver crucial victories. Georgetown’s Rachel Mashek countered with a commanding performance at #2, ensuring her team stayed within striking distance.

The tension only grew as the matches progressed. Tufts’ Sonya Bajaj provided one of the evening’s defining moments at #9. Starting the match down two games to none and then trailing 4-8 in the fifth, she mounted an extraordinary comeback, stunning her opponent with a decisive 11-8 win. The crowd erupted as Bajaj’s grit gave Tufts the edge they needed. Meanwhile, at #1, Vharshamithraa Dinesh fought in a 51-minute battle, ultimately emerging victorious in another five-game thriller.

However, Georgetown was far from finished. Ella Schoonmaker delivered a gutsy performance at #5, fending off a match ball at 12-11 in the fifth game to claim a dramatic 14-12 victory. Her clutch win kept Georgetown’s hopes alive and highlighted the unyielding spirit of the visiting team. However, Tufts’ depth proved too strong. Nieve Monderer sealed the victory with a commanding three-game win at #7, clinching the decisive fifth point and sparking celebrations from the Tufts squad and their fans.

Tufts Head Coach Joe Raho reflected on the team’s performance with pride. “It was a great first weekend, punctuated with two stellar wins over Georgetown [for the women] and Western [for the men] in our first matches of the season. Georgetown’s women’s program is very strong and is on the rise. They have a lot of momentum, and we knew that coming in. I thought our women showed incredible poise and composure to push through in some tense hard-fought five-game matches.”

Raho also praised the leadership and individual efforts that defined the win. “Riddhi Joshi, Nieve Monderer, and Aleezah Burhan all showed their experience and leadership to pull through against tough opponents. As captains, they have led with their words, play, and attitude. Vharsha Dinesh also pulled through in five, showing her grit and determination to outlast a talented freshman in Sanah Syed. I am just proud of our women’s team energy, fight, and care for each other. I think that all helped push us through against Georgetown.”

Tufts’ hard-fought win positions them as a rising force in the rankings and a team to watch this season. For Georgetown, the narrow loss will surely fuel their determination to rebound stronger in the matches to come. As opening matches go, this was an unforgettable battle that set the bar high for the season ahead.

The CSA has released updated team rankings, reflecting all match results played through Week 1 of the 2024-2025 season. With 11 men’s matches and 4 women’s matches completed, these early rankings have been adjusted manually to account for head-to-head results, factoring in both wins and losses.

One notable result from Week 1 was Navy’s thrilling 5-4 victory over MIT. Preseason ranked #20, Navy edged out #16 MIT in a closely contested match, marking a key early season upset.

These rankings provide an evolving snapshot of team standings as the season unfolds. Check out the latest updates here:

As the season progresses, we look forward to more exciting matchups and movement in the standings. Stay tuned for future updates!

Week 2 of the college squash season, running from November 14 to November 20, marks a significant uptick in action with 54 varsity matchups on the schedule, up from just 11 last weekend. With NESCAC and Ivy League teams officially beginning their campaigns, the season is now in full swing, promising an exciting slate of matches ahead.

You can view the upcoming matches for Week 2 (November 14 to November 20) below:

Match of the Week

Women

No. 13 Tufts vs. No. 12 Georgetown

The CSA Women’s Match of the Week highlights a competitive showdown between the #13-ranked Tufts Jumbos and the #12-ranked Georgetown Hoyas. The two teams will face off on Friday, November 15, at 4:00 p.m. at Tufts University’s squash facility.

This marks the first match of the season for both programs and their first contest in several years. With closely matched rankings and a fresh slate to start the season, fans can expect an exciting and hard-fought contest as these teams set the tone for the months ahead.

Men

No. 6 University of Virginia vs. No. 8 Columbia

This CSA Men’s Match of the Week showcases a top-10 showdown between the #6-ranked University of Virginia Cavaliers and the #8-ranked Columbia Lions. The match is set for Saturday, November 16, at 12:00 p.m. at UVA’s home facility, the McArthur Squash Center at Boar’s Head Sports Club.

Both teams will make their season debut in this highly anticipated contest, adding another chapter to what is becoming a compelling rivalry. Columbia bested UVA twice last season, securing a dominant 7-2 win in the regular season and edging out a narrow 5-4 victory at the National Team Championships.

With several new players, featuring strong recruits at the top of their lineup, UVA will be eager to start the season with a statement at their home courts. Fans can expect an intense and high-stakes battle between two elite programs as the road to the National Championships begins.

The order of play for Week 2 (November 14–20) is as follows:

3-Court System
2,1,3 / 4,5,6 / 8,9,7

5-Court System
1,2 / 3,4 / 6,5 / 8,7 / 10,9

You can view all past results from the 2024-25 CSA season here:

Match of the Week 

Women
No. 21 Dickinson defeats No. 22 Denison

Men
No. 28 Dickinson defeats No. 29 Denison

Read More…

Week 1 of competition in the College Squash Association featured exciting matchups across the men’s and women’s divisions, with teams competing fiercely to start their seasons strong. Though the opening week included just 11 varsity matches, it sets the tone for what promises to be an action-packed and competitive season ahead.

Upsets

Men
No. 20 Navy defeats No. 16 MIT