Elmira, NY -- The EC Men's Tennis team won its first Empire 8 conference match against Utica College, 8-1, Saturday afternoon at the Murray Athletic Center on the Class of 2012 Recognition Day. The Soaring Eagles improve to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in Empire 8 play, while the Pioneers fall to 0-4 overall and in conference action.
 
The Soaring Eagles started off strong taking all three doubles points. Eric Klinedinst '12 (York, PA -- Northeastern) and Steffan Waters '13 (Elmira, NY -- Elmira Free Academy) led the way battling their way to an 8-4 victory at first doubles. Gorav Simlote '13 (Syracuse, NY -- Jamesville-Dewitt) and Sam Pine '14 (Elmira, NY -- Thomas Edison) fought their way to an 8-4 win at second doubles, while George Smith '13 (Watseka, IL -- Granite City) and Dylan Christman '15 (Wellsboro, PA -- Wellsboro) cruised at third doubles with an 8-3 triumph.  
 
In singles action the Purple and Gold took five out of the six singles to earn the win. Klinedinst, Simlote and Christman, at first, second and sixth singles, dominated their matches winning with identical scores of 6-0, 6-0. At fourth singles, Waters controlled the match prevailing to a 6-1, 6-2 victory, while Smith fought hard in a tight two set match securing a 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) win.  
 
The EC Men's Tennis team will return to action tomorrow hosting conference power house Stevens Institute of Technology starting tentatively at 2:00 p.m.