FAIRFAX, Va. - Facing Atlantic 10 rival George Mason on Sunday, the Saint Joseph's women's tennis team put forth a strong effort, but eventually fell to the Patriots, 5-2.

George Mason opened the match with wins at all three doubles flights despite the Hawks putting up strong efforts at the first flight with Claire Minnoe and Alex Zachem and Kristina Eisenbrand and Sarah Contrata at the second. 

Moving to singles, Minnoe was a 6-4, 6-1 winner at the top flight, while Arianne Polatnick was a 6-1, 6-2 winner ay the fifth flight.

Saint Joseph's had a chance to pick up the team win with strong performances from Eisenbrand and Zachem going to three sets at the third and fourth flights, but the Patriots would earn the wins at both to secure the team win.

"After losing  the doubles point, the Hawks turned a very strong challenge to turning the tables, but after a cramping, Alex Zachem went gamely down in a third set tie break and GM breathed a sigh of relief and came away with a victory that for some time was in doubt," said SJU head coach Ian Crookenden.

The Hawks (4-12) return to action on Wednesday when they host La Salle at 2:30 p.m.

Doubles
1. Brittany Pilkington/Sydney Green (GM) def. Claire Minnoe / Alex Zachem (SJU), 7-6 (2)
2. Esu Erdenebat/Olivia Lacy-Thompson (GM) def. Kristina Eisenbrand / Sarah Contrata (SJU) 6-4
3. Morgan Yang/Nicole Haigwood (GM) def. Maureen Devlin / Anne Marie Devlin (SJU) 6-1

Singles
1. Claire Minnoe (SJU) def. Brittany Pilkington (GM) 6-4, 6-1
2. Sydney Green (GM) def. Maureen Devlin (SJU) 6-4, 7-6 (3)
3. Morgan Yang (GM) def. Kristina Eisenbrand (SJU) 7-6 (2), 2-6, 6-3
4. Esu Erdenebat (GM) def. Alex Zachem (SJU) 6-7 (2), 6-1, 7-6 (5)
5. Arianne Polatnick (SJU) def. Olivia Lacy-Thompson (GM) 6-1, 6-2
6. Scarlett Walston (GM) def. Anne Marie Devlin (SJU) 6-0, 4-6, 10-6