Roger Williams Edges Endicott, 5-4

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott men's tennis team fell to Roger Williams University, 5-4, on Wednesday evening in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action at the South Campus Tennis Courts.

Endicott took a 2-1 lead headed into singles play after the Gulls earned wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles, respectively, to start the match. Christopher Kirkpatrick (Newburyport, Mass.) and Michael Dolph (Stratford, Conn.) claimed an 8-3 victory at No. 1, while Nicholas Eherts (New Milford, Conn.) and Sean McAndrews (Vineyhard Haven, Mass.) closed out doubles action with a tough 9-8 (9-7) triumph at No. 3.

In singles, the Hawks evened up the match at 2-2 with a win at No. 5, but Dolph and Eric Pierce (Barrington, R.I.) responded for Endicott with back-to-back victories at No. 2 (6-4, 6-1) and No. 3 (6-3, 6-3) to move ahead 4-2.

Roger Williams did not waiver, however, as the Hawks captured wins at the No. 1, No. 4, and No. 6 positions down the stretch for their fourth victory in their last five matches.

TOP QUOTE

"It was an awesome battle out their today between both teams. Similar to Monday's match versus Gordon, it came down to a few points and we were on the short end today," said Endicott men's tennis head coach Jeremy Howard. "We will look to bounce back on Saturday against Western New England."

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Endicott saw its three-match winning streak snapped today by Roger Williams. 
• The Gulls are 2-2 overall in matches decided by a 5-4 score this season.
• All three losses towards the tail end of singles play were highly competitive, including the 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 decision at No. 1 and the 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 decision at No. 6.
• Pierce has won his last three singles matches in a row. He also is 6-1 this season at the No. 3 position.
• Eherts and McAndrews extended their winning streak to seven straight matches in doubles play today.
• The duo also is undefeated (4-0) in the No. 3 slot this year.

WHAT'S NEXT

Endicott (9-7, 4-2 CCC) hosts Western New England University this Saturday in a conference matchup at 2 p.m. Roger Williams (11-3, 5-1 CCC) welcomes Curry College to its campus on Saturday for a league match at 11 a.m. 

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