Elmira College (7-7, 1-2 E8) vs. Houghton College (6-5, 1-1 E8)
Friday, April 15, 2016 | 4:00 P.M. | Houghton Tennis Courts – Houghton, NY
 
Elmira College (7-7, 1-2 E8) vs. Alfred University (4-10, 1-1 E8)
Saturday, April 16, 2016 | 1:00 P.M. | William T. Brown Tennis Courts – Alfred, NY

Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's tennis team has already played 14 matches this season, already the third-highest total in program history, yet the two biggest matches of the season for the EC men are just a few days away. Elmira hits the road for a pair of conference matches against Houghton College and Alfred University. The Soaring Eagles clash with the Highlanders on Friday, April 15th, at 4:00 p.m., before concluding its two-day road trip the following afternoon with a 1:00 p.m. showdown with the Saxons.
 
Last Time Out
Elmira's last match pitted the Purple and Gold against the six-time defending Empire 8 Champion, Stevens Institute of Technology. The Ducks, who entered the match with a No. 23 national ranking, earned a 9-0 victory over the Soaring Eagles to remain flawless in E8 play. Patrick Tracey '18 had the best showing of the Elmira players, dropping a tight match at second doubles with partner Colby Upham '19, 8-6, before suffering a heartbreaking three-set loss at third singles 5-7, 6-3, 1-0 (10-6).
 
Tracey's Still Searching
With 10 singles victories on the year, Tracey sits in a three-way tie for first place in program history for most single-season wins. Tracey is tied with former great Gabe Cortes '11, who won 10 matches in his first two years with the Soaring Eagles in 2008 and 2009.
 
Looking for a Road Win
Elmira's overall record this season stands at 7-7, with all seven victories occurring on its home courts at the Murray Athletic Center. The Soaring Eagles will be searching for their first road win of 2016 this weekend in hopes of snapping a four-match losing streak in away contests.
 
Scouting Houghton
The Highlanders enter the weekend with a 6-5 overall record and a 1-1 mark in E8 contests. Houghton is playing some of its best tennis as of late, going 4-1 in its last five matches, including a 9-0 sweep of Keuka College in its last outing. A large part of Houghton's success recently can be attributed to the efforts of Chase Rangel, who has gone 4-0 in the team's last two matches, picking up wins at first singles and doubles. For his efforts, Rangel was named the Empire 8 Player of the Week.
 
All-Time Series vs. Houghton
Elmira and Houghton have only met twice since the Highlanders added men's tennis as a collegiate offering for the 2013-14 season. The Soaring Eagles have won the two previous matchups, earning an 8-1 win in 2014 and a 7-2 victory a season ago.
 
Scouting Alfred
The Saxons are 4-10 during the 2015-16 campaign with a 1-1 mark in E8 play, but the Alfred men have been playing a better brand of tennis as of late. Three of Alfred's wins have occurred in the team's last four matches, which includes a conference win over Hartwick College, 8-1.  Alfred has already faced Elmira earlier this season, which resulted in an 8-1 win for the Soaring Eagles. The lone winner from that match was AU's top player, Connor Doud, who picked up a straight set win at first singles. Doud is undoubtedly the Saxons biggest threat, as the senior netter boasts an ultra-impressive 10-1 singles record with a 7-4 mark in doubles action. 
 
All-Time Series vs. Alfred
Since the 2000 season, Alfred and Elmira have squared off 21 times. Alfred owns a decisive 15-6 record in the all-time series, but recent history has produced more favorable results for the Soaring Eagles. Elmira has won four straight against Alfred and is 5-1 against the Saxons since 2011.
 
Looking Ahead
Following this weekend's E8 road matches, Elmira returns to the Murray Athletic Center on Sunday, April 24th, for a 1:00 p.m. conference bout with Hartwick College.