ERIE, Pa. -- The third time was not a charm as the Mercyhurst College men's tennis team saw its season come to a close on Thursday afternoon with a 5-3 loss to host Kutztown in the first round of the NCAA II Tournament.

The Lakers end the 2009-10 campaign with a 13-12 overall mark, their best mark since finishing the 2006-07 season with a 14-6 mark.  Meanwhile, Kutztown defeated Mercyhurst for the third time this season, including the PSAC Championship match, to improve to 11-4.

“It's a heartbreaker for us,” Mercyhurst coach Ray Yost said. “I lost matches before but it doesn't hit you like that because we had this won. When the going gets tough, the tough get going and Kutztown gets going when it's tough. We had that won. They win the big points. My guys played their hearts out and they played as hard as they could play.”

The Lakers took two of three in doubles while Adam Marnik was the only 'Hurst player to notch a victory in singles with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Bobby Zerwick at No. 4.

To view a photo gallery of Thursday's action provided by host Kutztown University, please click here.

Kutztown 5, Mercyhurst College 3
May 06, 2010 at Kutztown, PA

Singles competition
1. Kaushik Das (KUTZ-M) def. Keith Whittingham (MC-M) 7-6, 1-6, 6-2
2. Jonathon Goulet (KUTZ-M) def. Mijo Cotic (MC-M) 6-3, 6-2
3. Ashok Murkerjee (KUTZ-M) def. Kyle King (MC-M) 7-6, 4-6, 7-5
4. Arpit Sharma (KUTZ-M) vs. Ron Heurich (MC-M) 4-6, 6-4, 3-5, unfinished
5. Adam Marnik (MC-M) def. Bobby Zerwick (KUTZ-M) 6-1, 6-0
6. Cameron O'Donnell (KUTZ-M) def. Juan Franco (MC-M) 1-6, 6-4, 6-4

Doubles competition
1. Keith Whittingham/Mijo Cotic (MC-M) def. Kaushik Das/Arpit Sharma (KUTZ-M) 8-6
2. Kyle King/Adam Marnik (MC-M) def. Jonathon Goulet/Bobby Zerwick (KUTZ-M) 8-6
3. Ashok Murkerjee/Cameron O'Donnell (KUTZ-M) def. Juan Franco/Ron Heurich (MC-M) 8-4

Match Notes
Mercyhurst College 13-12
Kutztown 11-4
Order of finish: Doubles (); Singles (5,2,3,1,6)