PHILADELPHIA – The 42nd-ranked Haverford College's men's squash team downed No. 47 Bryant University, 9-0, Friday night in the opening round of the Collegiate Squash Association 2012 Team Championship, moving the Fords into the winners bracket of the Serues Cup (F Division) being played at the University of Pennsylvania.

Haverford (5-13) will square off against the University of Illinois-Champaign, 8-1 winners over Fordham University earlier Friday, in the second round Saturday afternoon. Bryant (4-6) will play Fordham Saturday on the consolation side of the bracket.

Haverford's Alex Spiliotes faced the biggest challenge against Bryant, needing to play into a fifth and deciding game against Harry Waterton before earning the point for the Fords at the No. 1 spot.

Spiliotes jumped to the lead with a first-game win but fell behind Waterton 2-1 after 12-10 and 11-6 losses. The Haverford senior rallied back with a hard-fought 11-9 game four win then closed out the victory with an 11-7 triumph over Waterton in the fifth.

Junior Andy McComas had a battle at the No. 2 slot but downed Nick Brewer, 3-0, by scores of 11-7, 12-10 and 12-10.

Chris Tyson at 4, Charlie Michele at 5 and Robbie Thompson at 6 all closed out 3-0 wins for Haverford. Peter Boal, Harry Gallway and David Chang were each awarded a team point for default wins in the Nos. 7, 8 and 9 spots, respectively.

The 46th-ranked Fightin' Illini will roll into Saturday's 3:30 p.m. match against Haverford with a 6-1 record.