ITHACA, N.Y. – The men's squash team got victories from all three freshmen in its lineup Sunday, spearheading the Big Red to a pivotal 6-3 victory over Western Ontario at Belkin International Squash Courts.
 
The victory will keep eighth-ranked Cornell ahead of ninth-ranked Western Ontario in the College Squash Association national rankings. At the end of the season, the top eight teams compete in the Potter Cup for the national championship.
 
Cornell (2-0) got two victories in each of the three rotations Sunday. Freshman Harry Freeman got things started with by sailing to an easy three-game victory at the No. 9 spot, and senior Rishi Jalan rallied to win his No. 6 match in four games to put the hosts up 2-1.
 
Sophmore Graham Dietz (No. 8) never trailed in his victory, and freshman Gustav Runersjö (No. 5) was victorious in three games to leave the Big Red one point away from winning the match entering the final three tilts. Cornell ended up winning two of the final matches, with junior Aditya Jagtap taking the No. 1 match in three games and freshman Kevin Flannery outlasting his opponent in five games at No. 4.
 
The Big Red will return to action 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, when it opens Ivy League play with a match against Columbia at Belkin International Squash Courts.
 
No. 8 CORNELL 6, No. 9 WESTERN ONTARIO 3
Sunday, at Belkin International Squash Courts, Ithaca, N.Y.
1. Aditya Jagtap (C) def. Albert Shoihet, 11-8, 11-7, 13-11
2. James Van Staveren (W) def. Ryan Todd, 11-9, 7-11, 11-4, 11-6
3. Adrian Ostbye (W) def. Bryan Keating, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-7
4. Kevin Flannery (C) def. Adam Engel, 7-11, 11-7, 15-13, 12-10
5. Gustav Runersjö (C) def. Kale Wilson, 11-8, 11-9, 12-10
6. Rishi Jalan (C) def. Devin Hinchey, 10-12, 11-7, 11-9, 11-5
7. Nick Guest (W) def. Abhijit Malik, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8
8. Graham Dietz (C) def. Cory Shannon, 11-2, 15-13, 11-13, 11-2
9. Harry Freeman (C) def. Eric Mercer, 11-1, 11-6, 11-4
Ex. Matthew Sharp (W) def. Karan Kankariya, 12-14, 12-10, 11-7, 11-4