PHILADELPHIA (May 12, 2025) – Host Thomas Jefferson University was edged, 4-3, by St. Thomas Aquinas College in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Men’s Tennis Championship on Saturday afternoon at the Legacy Youth Tennis and Education Center.

The day came down to the final singles match, which was won by the Spartans, 7-6, 7-6. Jefferson, the 2024-25 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Champion, and the East Region’s No. 3 seed, completes its season with a won-lost record of 10-8.

After STAC, the East’s No. 2 seed, took the doubles point, the No. 5 singles match was the first one to finish, giving the Spartans a 2-0 lead. Anthony Moukarzel put Jefferson on the board with a win at No. 2, but the next completed match, at the sixth spot, went to STAC, putting the visitors on the verge of victory.

Mario Antonio won a third-set tiebreak at No.1 to keep Jefferson alive, and shortly thereafter, teammate Enrique Soto Ballester completed a comeback after dropping the first set. All eyes went to the No. 4 match, where the Spartans’ Don Vinz Lominique earned the deciding point with tiebreak wins of 7-5 in the first set and 7-4 in the second.

STAC, from the East Coast Conference, will make its first appearance in the NCAA Division II finals, to be held May 20-24 in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference is celebrating the 20^th anniversary of its affiliation with NCAA Division II. Conference institutions compete for championships in 18 sports – eight for men, nine for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 12 members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes Bloomfield College of Montclair State University, the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.