SOUTH ABINGTON TWP., Pa. - A furious comeback bid by the second-seeded University of Scranton men's tennis team fell just short on Tuesday against third-seeded Goucher, as the visiting Gophers pulled out a 5-2 victory over the Royals in the 2017 Landmark Conference Semifinals held at Birchwood Tennis Club.
With the defeat, Scranton finishes off the year with an 8-9 overall mark, while Goucher improved to 15-10 with the win, and will move onto the Landmark Conference Championship match on Saturday at top-seeded Juniata.
In doubles, Goucher began the day in a big way, winning all three matches contested to go up 3-0 into singles.
After taking victories by scores of 8-1 and 8-4 in the top two spots of the lineup, Goucher's number three team came back to knock off the Royals via tiebreak, 9-8 (7-5) to complete the sweep of doubles for the Gophers.
In singles, Goucher earned the first singles point in the number six position to go up 4-0 on the Royals. With their backs against the wall, however, Scranton climbed back in the match.
First at number three singles, senior Matt Prendergast (Flanders, N.J./Mt. Olive) collected a straight set, 6-4, 6-4 win to put Scranton on the board at 4-1.
Then, in the number one spot, junior Keller McGurrin (Clarks Summit, Pa./Scranton Prep) battled his way to a thrilling three-set (3-6, 6-2, 7-5) victory in come-from-behind fashion to cut the Goucher lead down to 4-2.
At both number two and number four singles, Scranton forced third sets. But, at number two, Goucher's Michael Herman clinched the match for the Gophers with a 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 victory.
Despite dropping the match, Scranton still posted a great season, opening Landmark Conference play with a 6-0 mark, their best start in program history in Landmark play. The program also hosted a Landmark Conference Playoff match for the first time since the 2013 season this afternoon.
Goucher College 5, University of Scranton 2
May 02, 2017 at South Abington Twp., Pa. (Birchwood Club)
Singles competition
1. Keller McGurrin (SCRMT17) def. Jack Hodges (GOUCHM) 3-6, 6-2, 7-5
2. Michael Herman (GOUCHM) def. Alexander Ochalski (SCRMT17) 6-1, 4-6, 7-5
3. Matt Prendergast (SCRMT17) def. Frankie Mullinix (GOUCHM) 6-4, 6-4
4. Charles Swope (SCRMT17) vs. Elliot Diehl (GOUCHM) 3-6, 6-3, unfinished
5. Brian Harkins (SCRMT17) vs. Slade Dumas (GOUCHM) 1-6, unfinished
6. Midori Fujitani (GOUCHM) def. Christian Aksu (SCRMT17) 6-1, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Michael Herman/Elliot Diehl (GOUCHM) def. Keller McGurrin/Alexander Ochalski (SCRMT17) 8-1
2. Midori Fujitani/Jack Hodges (GOUCHM) def. Matt Prendergast/Michael Pottieger (SCRMT17) 8-4
3. Frankie Mullinix/Josiah Meekins (GOUCHM) def. Christian Aksu/Brian Harkins (SCRMT17) 9-8 (7-5)
Match Notes
Goucher College 14-10
University of Scranton 8-9
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (6,3,1,2)
2017 Landmark Conference Semifinals
T-3:30 A-27
--ROYALS--
