ROCHESTER -- The St. Lawrence University men's tennis team lost a close 5-3 match against Robert Wesleyan in the semi-finals following an earlier 5-4 victory over Rensselaer Saturday at the Flower City Tournament.

The Saints, who won two out of three doubles matches, evened their record at 1-1.

First-year student Paul Barrett led St. Lawrence with wins in both his doubles and singles matches in the in the semifinal match against Robert Wesleyan.

He teamed up with senior captain Michael Hayden for an 8-6 win at No. 2 doubles, then earned the Saints' lone singles win at No. 4 by the score of 6-2, 6-4.

Sophomore Thomas Luchars and first-year student Will Ballew defeated their opponents 8-5 at No. 3 doubles, while Hayden brought his opponent to a third set at No. 1 singles before falling by the scores of 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Sophomore Alan Shortz was leading 6-3, 6-7 (3) at No. 5 singles when the match came to decision. The Saints will battle Oneonta for third place tomorrow morning at 9:00 am.

Earlier, he Saints swept the competition in doubles to take a 3-0 lead, then worked hard to hold off a very solid singles Engineers team to earn their first victory of the season.

In doubles action, sophomore John Megas and first-year student Robert Schmitz won a close 9-8 (4) match at No. 1, while senior Michael Hayden and first-year student Paul Barrett won 8-6 at No.2.

First-year student Will Ballew teamed up with sophomore Thomas Luchars to earn an 8-4 win at No. 3 to complete the doubles sweep. In singles play, Megas won at No. 2 in three sets (6-4, 4-6, 6-4) to secure the win for the Saints.

Senior Tom Timpone earned the other singles point for his team, winning 6-1, 6-2 at No. 6.