Feb. 27, 2012

WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Lafayette men's tennis team opened Patriot League completion with a split at West Point on Sunday. The Leopards downed Holy Cross, 6-1, before falling, 7-0, to the host Black Knights.

Doug Gallagher, Brandon Goldstein, Will Mercorella, Scott Gelbman and Andrew Morris all won their singles matches against the Crusaders. James Oliver was edged at No. 5, ceding his match in three sets.

The doubles pairs of Gallagher and Morris, Goldstein and Oliver and Alex Charchalis and Matthew Scheps all triumphed to clinch the doubles point.

Army, the preseason favorite to win the Patriot League, won all six singles matches. The Leopards challenged for the doubles point, but the Black Knights eked out 8-6 and 8-7 (1) victories at No.1 and No. 2 to lock up the tally.

The Leopards return to the court on Sunday, March 4 at NJIT. League play resumes on Saturday, March 31 at Navy.

Results vs. Holy Cross
Singles
1. Doug Gallagher (LC) d. Nick Berrettini (HC) 6-4, 4-6, 10-8
2. Brandon Goldstein (LC) d. Ryan Sullivan (HC) 6-2, 7-5
3. Will Mercorella (LC) d. Chris Das (HC) 6-1, 6-1
4. Scott Gelbman (LC) d. Tim Regan (HC) 6-0, 6-0
5. Chris Brosnan (HC) d. James Oliver (LC) 7-5, 2-6, 10-5
6. Andrew Morris (LC) d. Connor McCann (HC) 6-1, 6-1
Doubles
1. Gallagher/Morris (LC) d. Berrettini/Sullivan (HC) 8-4
2. Goldstein/Oliver (LC) d. Scott Brownell/Ajeya Shekar (HC) 8-3
3. Alex Charchalis/Matthew Scheps (LC) d. Das/Regan (HC) 8-3
Results at Army
Singles
1. Asika Isoh (USMA) d. Doug Gallagher (LC) 6-0, 6-3
2. Alex Holland (USMA) d. Brandon Goldstein (LC) 6-2, 6-1
3. Rommel Verano (USMA) d. Sinan Ipeker (LC) 6-3, 6-2
4. Peter Sienko (USMA) d. Will Mercorella (LC) 6-2, 6-1
5. Rashad Shelton (USMA) d. Scott Gelbman (LC) 7-5, 6-2
6. Roman Cacha (USMA) d. Andrew Morris (LC) 6-3, 6-0
Doubles
1. Isoh/Shelton (USMA) d. Gallagher/Morris (LC) 8-6
2. Sienko/Alex Van Velzer (USMA) d. Ipeker/Gelbman (LC) 8-7 (1)
3. Holland/Verano (USMA) d. Goldstein/Mercorella (LC) 8-3