A tight Horizon League battle went Youngstown State's way Saturday, as the visiting Penguins spoiled UIC's home conference opener, 4-3.

Youngstown State improved to a league-best 3-0 in conference play, while the Flames battled to the end but still came up short in their search for their first Horizon League win.  "We could have knocked them out" of first place, Hans Neufeld said.  "We won a good doubles point.  The singles matches were hard-fought and we had our chances."

The Flames will get right back on the courts Sunday against Cleveland State.

Doubles Results

• Francesco Tacconi and Luiz Dos Santos won for the first time together, leading on the #1 court 5-0 before winning by default.
• YSU got back into contention with a 6-2 win over Ammar Wazir and Kevin Kruzel at #3.
• Pelle Strandberg and Artem Iermolov pulled out a tight win to claim the doubles point, 7-6 (4) on the #2 court.

Singles Results

• Iermolov fell 6-1, 6-1 at #5 as the Penguins evened the team score.
• Kruzel put the Flames back on top with a 6-1, 6-3 win at #6.
• Strandberg battled but was unable to convert a crucial break in each set, falling 6-4, 6-4 at #1.
• Wazir faltered in the #4 slot, losing 6-4, 6-1.
• Gustavo Schwebel pushed the first set to an extra game, but ultimately lost 7-5, 6-3 at #2.
• Tacconi was a 6-1, 6-4 winner at #3.

Up Next

• Cleveland State will visit to close out the weekend.
• The match will take place at HF Racquet Club in Homewood, starting at 10 a.m.