Goucher Overcomes Early Deficit, Defeats Messiah

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Entering singles play facing a 2-1 deficit, Goucher won four straight matches to begin singles play, rallying past Messiah for a 5-4 victory to begin its spring break trip down in South Carolina.

Chad Resnik (Miami, Fla./Pinecrest School) clinched the match for the Gophers (4-6) with a 7-6 (6), 6-1 win over Chris Brittingham at No. 4 singles, earning his first dual singles victory of the season in the process. Seth Hoesman (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) and David Spivey (Cockeysville, Md./The Park School) each had straight set victories at the top two singles positions, while Midori Fujitani (Tokyo, Japan/International School Bangkok) had a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 3. Hoesman improved to 8-2 from the No. 1 position this season.

Messiah (0-3) won at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to take the early lead. Hoesman and Spivey defeated Michael Brookhart and David Wichert by an 8-6 margin to earn Goucher's lone doubles point.

Today's victory snapped a two-match losing streak for the Gophers. After yesterday's match against Wisconsin-Eau Claire was canceled due to inclement weather, Goucher will conclude its trip to Hilton Head Island with a pair of contests tomorrow. The Gophers face off against Springfield at 9 a.m., followed by a 3 p.m. tilt against Carroll (Wisc.).