Providence, R.I.—Junior Josh Brien (Johnston, R.I.) won in three sets to clinch a 4-2 win for No. 2-seeded Rhode Island College vs. No. 3-seeded Western Connecticut in the semifinals of the 2023 Little East Men's Tennis Championship played at the RIC Tennis Center on Friday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 4, Western Connecticut 2
Rhode Island College (9-4)
Western Connecticut (8-9)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• RIC took two of three in doubles to build a 2-1 advantage heading into singles play. Senior Peter Pond (Providence, R.I.) and sophomore Zach Siemmao (Wakefield, R.I.) started the match off with an 8-1 win at third doubles.
 
• RIC and the Wolves traded wins to open singles play before Siemmao won in straight sets (7-6, 6-2) to put the Anchormen in position to win.
 
• After edging Western Connecticut junior Kevin Tenesaca (Danbury, Conn.) in the first set (7-5), Brien was blanked (6-0) in the second stanza. He battled back to win (6-2) in the decisive third set to send RIC to the finals.
 
• The Anchormen have reached the finals of the LEC Championship for the second time in the past three seasons.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, No. 2-seeded Rhode Island College will face No. 1-seeded Salem State in the 2023 Little East Men's Tennis Championship Final played at Bass River Tennis Club on Saturday, April 29 (noon)