After several strong performances to start the season, the young men's tennis team received a harsh welcome to elite Division III tennis Thursday.Just one week after coach Ben Lamanna said this match against Bowdoin College was "the biggest match of the season," the Judges fell flat, failing to win even a single set in a 9-0 defeat. The loss dropped the team's record to 1-1 on the season.

The Judges also competed at the Stonehill College Tournament last weekend. Steven Nieman '11 had the best finish, winning his eight-person No. 2 singles draw, while Scott Schulman '09 and Jason Sacher '11 reached the finals of their draws at No. 3 and No. 4 singleas, respectively.

In their previous matches, the Judges, who started the season with new players filling all six of their top singles spots, showed promise. They dominated Bentley College 9-0 Sept. 19 and played several close matches against Division I competition at the Brown Invitational Sept. 14 to 16.

Bowdoin is one of Division III's premier tennis programs and is coming off its eighth straight appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament. Brandeis hasn't defeated the Polar Bears in Lamanna's three-year tenure as coach.

"I don't know why I schedule matches up [at Bowdoin] anymore," Lamanna said. "But it was a wake up call for us."

Simon Miller '11 came closest to notching a victory at No. 1 singles, but was unable to win the key points in his match. He reached a tiebreaker in the first set against Bowdoin senior Garrett Gates, but lost 7-0 and proceeded to lose the second set 6-4.

David Silver '11, playing in his first-ever collegiate match, was the only other player to even win more than three games in a set, losing to Bowdoin sophomore Matt Kins 6-4, 6-1 at No. 6 singles.

Lamanna attributed the Judges' struggles to a lack of concentration.

"We can't flip out mentally," Lamanna said. "We have to stay on an even track, an even keel. You have to be mentally tough, [and] this wasn't mentally tough."

Following up several solid matches to start his career, Nieman never competed against Bowdoin freshman Stephen Sullivan, losing 6-3, 6-2. Sacher and Alex Neystat '10 each lost 6-3, 6-1 at No. 4 and No. 5 singles, respectively, while Scott Schulman '09 lost to Bowdoin sophomore Jamie Neely 6-0, 6-3 at No. 3 singles.

The team didn't fare much better in doubles. Of the Judges' three parings, the No. 2 team of Schulman and Sacher came closest to a victory, but still came up short in an 8-6 defeat. At No. 1 doubles, Miller and Nieman dropped the first six games and never recovered, losing 8-2 to Gates and Sullivan.

"It was a tough day for us," Nieman said. "We were still thinking about singles [during doubles play]. Mentally, we needed to be stronger."

At No. 3 doubles, Silver and Neystat lost 8-4 to the tandem of senior Andrew Fried and senior Noah Buntman.

Nieman fared better at the Stonehill College tournament Sunday, defeating Salve Regina University senior Jason Lago 7-5 6-1 in the finals of the No. 2 singles draw. Schulman nearly joined him in the victory column at No. 3 singles, but he instead lost a tight 7-6 (9) 7-6 (5) match in the finals to Salve Regina freshman Trey Van Buskirk.

Sacher and Miller also saw their tournaments derailed by Salve Regina players. Sacher lost to sophomore Andrew Martin 6-4 6-4 in the finals at No. 4 singles, while Miller lost to senior Robbie Norton 7-5 6-1 in the semifinals at No. 1 singles.

The No. 3 doubles team of Neystat and Silver also competed in the doubles bracket. The pair lost its first-round match before rebounding to win the consolation bracket.

The Judges play next at the James Wallach Invitational in Lewiston, Maine Oct. 12 to 14.