Fort Myers, Fla. –  The Eagles (2-2) battled the Florida Atlantic Owls (1-5) Saturday from the Patch Reef Tennis Center. The team match went wire to wire with the deciding individual match going to 3 sets. The Eagles had a clutch finish from Joan Carles Alcala at No. 6 singles to preserve the victory by a 4-3 margin.  

"I am very happy at the way the guys competed and supported each other," said interim Head Coach Carlos Oyaga.  "Today was a very close and competitive match, and I am very proud of the team.  To be able to watch JC compete and clinch the last point for us, on his first collegiate match, was amazing."

In doubles competition, the Eagles struck first as the No. 2 tandem of Nico de Groof and Ristomatti Lanne defeated Robert Dubuque and Kian Mclean 6-1.  At No. 3 doubles, Zandrix Acob and Stefan Burnett tied it up when they handed Christian Kerrigan and Albert Codina Sala a 6-3 defeat.  

It came down to the No. 1 doubles tandem of Jose Landin and Kyle Hoffman to earn the crucial doubles point for the Eagles and they did not disappoint.  The duo defeated Andrei M-Kougoucheff and Will Neuner 6-4 to send the Eagles in to singles competition with a 1 point advantage in the team match.

In singles, Acob evened the score 1-1 when he took down Hoffman at the No. 3 position 6-3, 6-0.  Moments later, Neuner took down Kerrigan 7-6(4), 6-2 at the No. 2 position to make it 2-1 in favor of the Owls.  

The next point went to the Owls as well, making it a 3-1 tally as Codina Sala fell to Dubuque 4-6, 3-6 at the No. 4 position.  
With their backs against the wall, the Eagles needed to win the final 3 matches to earn the team victory.  

Landin battled Sean Bacha to a 7-5 win in the first set before cruising to a 6-3 mark in the 2nd set to earn the win at No. 5 singles.  His match, a 7-5, 6-3 defeat extended the match as the score became 3-2 in favor of the Owls.

Lanne and Alcala were knotted in hard-fought battles of their own, and both needed wins for the Eagles to prevail.  After falling the first set, Lanne rallied at the No. 1 position to defeat M-Kougoucheff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 to even the match at 3-3.

It all came down to newcomer Alcala at the No. 6 position.  Taking on Mclean, Alcala took the 1st set 6-3, but lost the 2nd 1-6.  With the momentum in favor of Mclean, Alcala fought back for a 6-3 win the 3rd set to earn the come from behind win for the Eagles. 

"Today was a really emotional match," said Alcala.  "I was looking forward to this match; my first one since undergoing surgery.  This win has helped me a lot.  It was great that my teammates have been supporting me in every moment.  I am very happy for my victory and especially because of the team win.  Let's Go Eagles!"
  
The Eagles stay in Fort Myers as they challenge Florida Gulf Coast Sunday Feb. 1st at 12 p.m. from Patch Reef Tennis Center.  

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