BETHLEHEM, Pa. — No. 9 Lafayette rallied in singles play to earn an upset victory over No. 8 Holy Cross, 4-3, in the first round of the 2026 Patriot League Men’s Tennis Championship on Thursday afternoon.

Holy Cross took the early advantage by claiming the doubles point with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. Patrick Ling and Luke Prokopis secured a 6-4 victory, while Teddy Callery and Matthew Carlson followed with a 7-6(5) win to give the Crusaders a 1-0 lead.

Lafayette responded in singles play, winning three of the first four completed matches to move in front, 3-2. Derrin Lerner recorded a 6-1, 7-5 win at No. 2 singles, while Nicolas McKenzie added a hard-fought three-set victory at No. 3, 6-0, 2-6, 6-4. Jake Magnusson also earned a straight-set win at No. 6, 6-0, 6-4, to give the Leopards their third point.

Holy Cross battled back to even the match at 3-3 with wins at No. 4 and No. 5 singles. Aayush Jhaveri picked up a 7-5, 6-3 decision at No. 4, and Patrick Ling followed with a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 5.

With the match tied, the final point came down to No. 1 singles, where Ricardo Espaillat delivered the clinching victory for Lafayette with a 7-6(0), 6-2 win to secure the 4-3 result.

For more information, visit the 2026 Patriot League Men’s Tennis Championship Page by CLICKING HERE.

LAFAYETTE 4, HOLY CROSS 3
DOUBLES (in order of finish): 1, 3, 2 
Patrick Ling/Luke Prokopis (HC) def. Ricardo Espaillat/Nicolas McKenzie (LAF) 6-4 
Teddy Callery/Matthew Carlson (HC) def. Jake Magnusson/Sam Gelber (LAF) 7-6(5)
Derrin Lerner/Niko Martirossian (LAF) def. Aayush Jhaveri/Will Donnelly (HC) 6-4 

SINGLES (in order of finish): 6, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
Ricardo Espaillat (LAF) def. Ezequiel De La Plaza (HC) 7-6(0), 6-2 
Derrin Lerner (LAF) def. Matthew Carlson (HC) 6-1, 7-5 
Nicolas McKenzie (LAF) def. Teddy Callery (HC) 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 
Aayush Jhaveri (HC) def. John Dickens (LAF) 7-5, 6-3 
Patrick Ling (HC) def. Niko Martirossian (LAF) 6-2, 6-3 
Jake Magnusson (LAF) def. Camilo Illanes (HC) 6-0, 6-4
2026 Patriot League Men’s Tennis Championship Schedule
Thursday, April 23 – First Round 
M1: No. 8 Holy Cross 3 vs. No. 9 Lafayette 4

Friday, April 24 – Quarterfinals 
M2: No. 1 Lehigh vs. No. 9 Lafayette | 11 a.m. (South Bank)
M3: No. 4 Boston University vs. No. 5 Bucknell | 11 a.m. (Middle Bank)
M4: No. 3 Army West Point vs. No. 6 Loyola Maryland | 3 p.m. (Middle Bank)
M5: No. 2 Navy vs. No. 7 Colgate | 3 p.m. (South Bank)

Saturday, April 25 – Semifinals 
M6: Winner of Match 2 vs. Winner of Match 3 | 11 a.m. 
M7: Winner of Match 4 vs. Winner of Match 5 | 3 p.m. 

Sunday, April 26 – Championship Match
M8: Winner of Match 6 vs. Winner of Match 7 | Noon
 
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The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.