MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg's men's tennis team wrapped up its fall season in thrilling fashion on Saturday afternoon with a 4-3 non-conference victory over Stevenson at the Hoverter Tennis Complex. 


The Mustangs (0-2) grabbed an early lead by taking two of three doubles matches to open the contest but Penn State Harrisburg's top duo of Cooper Wheeler and Damir Cuturic did their part, as the No. 1 team edged Stevenson's top pair of Luke Appleman and King Nacua 7-6. 


Cuturic kept rolling in singles action, breezing past Brandon Nguyen 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 2 solo contest, while Ian Opitz worked hard in a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Nacua in the No. 3 matchup. Colin Flack did his best to give the Lions (1-1) a shot at erasing the early deficit thanks to a 6-4, 6-2 win over Dominic Duncan in the No. 5 outing. 


With Michael Rivino and John McCarthy being outlasted in three sets in both the No. 4 and No. 6 contests, it came down to Wheeler and Appleman in what proved to be a three-set marathon in the No. 1 showdown. 


After Appleman edged Wheeler 7-6 in a back-and-forth opening set, the latter battled back from a 4-1 deficit to take the second set 7-5 and force a final, match-deciding set. After once again falling behind 4-1 in the third, Wheeler chipped away, fought back into it and didn't drop another point, as he eventually secured a 6-4, come-from-behind victory that sealed the memorable win for Penn State Harrisburg.


With their fall season now concluded, the Lions will return to action and begin conference play in the spring of 2026.


Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.