ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. - Penn State Harrisburg's men's tennis team won a crucial conference contest 5-2 over rival St. Mary's (Md.) at Somerset Tennis Complex on Tuesday afternoon, April 14, to take over sole possession of first place in the United East standings.


The Lions (9-6, 7-0 United East) took two of three doubles contests from the Seahawks (8-6, 5-1 United East) to secure the all-important doubles point. Damir Cuturic and Cooper Wheeler swept their way to a 6-0 win over Alex Lyman and Jacob Nelson in the top doubles match, while Ved Pawar and Colin Flack defeated Aidan Cron and Max Esztergomi 6-2 in the No. 2 outing. 


Wheeler kept rolling in the top singles matchup, convincingly handling Esztergomi 6-0, 6-2 at the No. 1 spot. Pawar topped Nelson 6-1, 6-1 in the No. 2 singles contest and Cuturic won a competitive match over Cron 6-3, 7-5 in the No. 3 slot to clinch the match for Penn State Harrisburg. Flack put the finishing touches on the valuable victory by winning a marathon over Andrew Hand in the No. 5 solo outing 6-7 (6-8), 6-4, 10-5. 


The Lions get a week to rest up before hosting Messiah for a non-conference match on Thursday afternoon, April 23. 


Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg men's and women's tennis all season long on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) by following the Lions using the handle @pshbgtennis.