Feb. 27, 2011

EASTON, Pa. -

The Lafayette men's tennis team went toe-to-toe with the New Jersey Institute of Technology on Saturday, battling past the Highlanders by a score of 4-3 to earn its first win of the spring season. The decisive point came from junior Doug Gallagher, who rallied to a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 2 singles.

"This was a good win to get under our belts," said head coach Eric Ratchford. "The guys played with a lot of heart and determination out there today."

With the win, the Leopards improve their spring tally to 1-1. NJIT is winless in the spring season at 0-3.

Lafayette started strong by claiming the doubles point. Gallagher and freshman Will Mercorella earned an 8-1 win at No. 2, while sophomore Scott Gelbman and junior Andrew Morris claimed the No. 3 doubles match with an 8-6 triumph.

In singles action, Gelbman at No. 3, freshman Sinan Ipeker at No. 5 earned straight-set victories leading up to Gallagher's clinching win.

The Leopards are back in action on Saturday, hosting Wagner in a 2 p.m. match. Lafayette swept the Seahawks, 7-0, on Staten Island in the fall season.

Full Results

Singles1. Petr Rousar (N) def. Justin Haar (L) 7-5, 7-52.  Doug Gallagher (L) def. Ike Kiro (N) 3-6, 6-3, 6-43.  Scott Gelbman (L) def. Joao Tasca (N) 6-2, 6-34.  Dan Salomon (N) def. Kyle MacLelland (L) 7-5, 6-05.  Sinan Ipeker (L) def. Martin Cederquist (N) 7-5, 6-26.  Fraser Croad (N) def. Will Mercorella (L) 6-2, 7-6 (6)
Doubles1. Kiro/Cederquist (N) def. Haar/Ipeker (L) 8-62.  Gallagher/Mercorella (L) def. Rousar/Bryan Keelan (N) 8-13.  Gelbman/Andrew Morris (L) def. Tasca/Croad (N) 8-6