WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The Bowdoin College men's tennis team couldn't hold on to an early lead and fell to Middlebury, 5-4, in the finals of the New England Small Co­llege Athletic Conference Championship Sunday at Williams College. The Polar Bears come up just short in the conference tourney and fall to 15-4 on the season, and will undoubtedly receive an NCAA Tournament bid when selections are announced on Monday.
 
Match Highlights

• The Polar Bears took a 2--1 lead in doubles play thanks to convincing wins from Ethan Bradley/Pieter Breuker (8-5) and Mark Kneiss/Evan Fortier (8-6).
• Bowdoin had a chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead, with the top doubles team of Tristan Bradley/Reid Staples holding a 5-1 lead at number one. But Middlebury's Aidan Harris/Noah Laber rallied to win in a tiebreak 8-7 (7-5), picking up a key point heading to singles.
• The teams traded wins in the opening wave of singles play, as Bowdoin's Kneiss (6-2, 6-3) and Pieter Breuker (3-6, 7-6, 6-2) put the Polar Bears on the brink of the win.
• However, trailing 4-3 with two matches remaining, Middlebury was able to pick up straight-set wins at number one and five to complete the comeback and win the NESCAC crown.

Up Next

• Despite the loss, Bowdoin is likely to receive an at-large selection and possibly a home regional when NCAA Division III Tournament selections are announced on Monday morning at NCAA.com.