Goldstein-Plesser Rallies for Win in Pivotal Match

BALTIMORE, Md. — Although it was the point that Alex Walsh (Greens Farm, Conn./Staples) earned for Goucher at No. 1 singles that clinched tonight's match against Drew, it may have been the three-set win at No. 5 by Alice Goldstein-Plesser (Durham, N.C./Durham School of the Arts) that saved the day for head coach Sally Baum's Gophers, who defeated the Rangers, 5-4.

This was the first Landmark Conference match of the season for both teams. It was played indoors at the Bare Hills Racquet & Fitness Club due to the windy and frigid conditions that existed throughout the day.

Walsh's 6-0, 6-3 victory over Deanna Williams was Goucher's third win in singles play and made the score of the overall match 5-1 in favor of the Gophers. It would have been only 4-2, however, had Goldstein-Plesser not rallied from being down a set to knock off Megan Jarvis 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Also triumphant during the singles competition for Goucher was Kirsten Cianci (Bolton, Conn./Bolton), who disposed of Alexandra Scarborough 6-1, 6-4 at No. 4.

The Gophers (4-3, 1-0 Landmark) entered singles play ahead 2-1 thanks to wins at first and third doubles. At No. 1, Welsh and Cianci defeated Kate Marshall and Jessica Cheng, 8-2, and Goldstein-Plesser and Leigh Oehrig (Woodbine, Md./Glenelg) improved to 5-1 at No. 3 by downing Scarborough and Jarvis, 8-0.

This was the Gophers' fifth straight win over the Rangers (3-2, 0-1 Landmark).

Goucher plays a second Landmark Conference match this weekend when it travels to Selinsgrove, Pa. on Sunday to take on Susquehanna.