Gophers Fall to Drew in Landmark Title Tilt
April 29, 2023
MADISON, N.J.- Top-seeded Drew University staked itself to a 3-0 lead after doubles and downed No. 2 seed Goucher College 5-2 in the 2023 Landmark Conference Men's Tennis Championship title match Saturday indoors at Simon Forum. The Rangers earn the Landmark's automatic berth to next week's NCAA Championship.
- Drew (16-4) took all three doubles contests from the Gophers (8-10).
- Gabe Naftoly (Newburyport, Mass./Berwick Academy) and Theo Lucke (Ahlen, Germany / Städtisches Gymnasium Ahlen) dropped the closest decision at No. 3, falling 8-5.
- The Rangers took a 4-0 lead with a win at No. 2 singles.
- Goucher picked up its first point at No. 1 when Angel Cerpa (El Paso, Texas/Americas), who was leading 5-2 in the second set after dropping the first set 6-1, won when his opponent retired.
- Tadeo Asprella (La Plata, Argentina / Instituto Jose Manuel Estrada) won his match at No. 4 6-3, 6-3 to close the gap to 4-2.
- Jackson Beam (Knightdale, N.C./Knightdale) won his first set at No. 3 6-2 but his opponent rallied for a 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 win to clinch the match.
- Naftoly had won his first set 6-3 and was down 6-4 in the second when play was halted.
- Goucher was making its seventh Landmark Conference finals appearance in eighth seasons. The Gophers downed the Rangers 5-4 at Simon Forum last season.
- Asprella moved to 15-3 in singles play on the season.
- Drew was making its third straight finals appearance and won its second title in three seasons.