Caracappa, Hodges Account For Wins In Singles Play

CHESTERTOWN, Md. — Goucher resumed its 2014-15 season this afternoon, playing a match for the first time since a 6-2 triumph over McDaniel back in October. Today's opponent was Washington (Md.), another team from the Centennial Conference, and the Shoremen came out on top in four of the six singles matches to complete a 6-3 victory over the Gophers.

Seth Hoesman (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) and Joey Caracappa (Wesley Chapel, Fla./Saddlebrook Preparatory School) secured Goucher's only point during the doubles competition as they bested Vishnu Rajes and Dan Boaté, 8-6, at No. 1. The Gophers (2-2) looked to be on the verge of also prevailing at No. 2 when Jack Hodges (London, England/Shrewsbury School) and Britt Shortle (Lake Mary, Fla./Trinity Preparatory School) won six straight games to assume a 6-1 lead over Jeremy Novick and Ryan Holtschneider only to have the two Washington players recover and take the next seven games for an 8-6 triumph.

For third third year in a row, Hoesman and Rajes were pitted against one another at No. 1 singles when the Gophers faced the Shoremen (1-0). In 2013, Rajes rallied from being down a set to post a 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-4 victory; in 2014, Hoesman handled Rajes in straight sets, winning 6-0, 6-4.

Hoesman took the opening set again today, but this time Rajes was able to battle all the way back to emerge with a 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 win.

Goucher's two victories in singles play were at No. 2, where Caracappa fought off Boaté 6-2, 4-6 7-6 (5), and No. 3, where Hodges downed Holtschneider 6-1, 7-5.

At No. 4, Novick was a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Midori Fujitani (Tokyo, Japan/International School Bangkok).

Goucher's next scheduled match is against St. Mary's (Md.) on March 7.