UIC lost for just the first time in five Horizon League matches Friday at Youngstown State.  A tightly contested doubles point went the Penguins' way, and their early success on the singles courts was too much for the Flames to overcome.

"We had three match points on #3 doubles," head coach Hans Neufeld observed.  "We also had our chances in both of the matches we lost.  Anthony [Nguyen] fought off match points in the second set and earned a big comeback win."

The Flames and Penguins, each with a 4-1 conference record, are tied for second place behind 5-0 Cleveland State.  UIC faces the Vikings tomorrow and would earn a share of the regular season title with a win.

Doubles Results

• Johan Hedstrom and Kasper Parlklo got things off to a hot start with a 6-4 win at #1.  It was their second straight win in the top flight since being promoted from the #2 slot in the last meet.
• Niko Wasilewicz and William Wale lost a 6-4 contest on the #2 court. 
• The doubles point turned on a tiebreaker at #3.  Pelle Strandberg and Marcelo Dib were unable to finish things off and fell 7-6 (7).

Singles Results

• Hedstrom's #1 match was the first to finish, in a 6-1, 6-1 decision for YSU.
• Strandberg went down at #6, 6-4, 6-0, to put the hosts one point away from the victory.
• Wasilewicz fought to the end in his #3 match.  He was unable to stave off the final decision, however, as he fell 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.
• Parlklo got the Flames on the board with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win at #3.  He moved to 4-1 in conference play.
• Anthony Nguyen dominated a tiebreaker and carried that momentum through the decisive third set in a 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3 win at #4.
• Kailash Panchapakesan played his second straight match at #5, and earned his second straight win, 7-5, 7-6 (5).

Up Next

• The Flames will face first place and undefeated Cleveland State Saturday morning.
• UIC will seek its first win against the Vikings since 2007.