Gophers Earn Split Heading Into Landmark Competition

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — After dropping an 8-1 decision to Division II Lenoir-Rhyne in the morning, Goucher reversed that score against Washington & Jefferson later in the day to salvage the final match of its spring break trip in South Carolina.

The Gophers (5-4) ensured that they will take a winning record into Saturday's Landmark opener at Susquehanna.

Goucher's lone point against the Bears (5-6) came at No. 1 doubles after Seth Hoesman (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) and Joey Caracappa (Wesley Chapel, Fla./Saddlebrook Preparatory School) handed Marvin Mueller and Patrick Bauer an 8-4 setback. The Gopher duo then remained unbeaten in dual matches at 8-0 with an 8-1 defeat of Sam Miller and Micah Byrum in the evening match.

Jack Hodges (London, England/Shrewsbury School) and Britt Shortle (Lake Mary, Fla./Trinity Preparatory School) gave Goucher a 2-1 advantage heading into singles play against the Presidents (1-6) after overcoming Sean Carrick and Josh St. Clair by an 8-6 score at No. 2 doubles. The Gophers then picked up all six available singles points.

Three of the four doubles winners claimed straight-set singles victories, while Shortle outlasted St. Clair 7-6 (4), 1-6, 1-0 (10-8) in a memorable match from the No. 5 singles position. Midori Fujitani (Tokyo, Japan/International School Bangkok) added a 7-6 (3), 6-0 triumph at No. 4, and Bardia Anvari (Clarksville, Md./Mount Saint Joseph) topped Renato Popovic 7-6 (6), 6-3 in his collegiate debut at No. 6.

The morning contest against Lenoir-Rhyne marked the first time this season that Goucher was unable to win at least one singles match.

The Gophers will next have a pair of road matchups against Landmark opponents. Goucher will travel to Scranton on Sunday after its 1 p.m. tilt against the Crusaders the day before.