FORT WAYNE, Ind. - In defeating host University of Saint Francis 7-2 Friday afternoon, the Goshen College men's tennis team won back-to-back contests for the first time this season. The victory improved their record to 3-4 overall and 3-2 in Crossroads League.

"I'm really proud of the way our guys played today and the way they've been playing this season without their teammate, Balasz Pirot (No. 1 singles player out with injury)," 16th-year head coach Stan King said post match.

Despite a tight 8-6 loss in the top doubles position, the Maple Leafs rallied for a 2-1 lead by dropping just seven combined games at No. 2 and No. 3. Luis Perez and Vasanth Palanisamy combined to win 8-2 at No. 2 and Taylor Ermoian and Michael Oyer were 8-5 victors at No. 3.

Palanisamy and Aritha Weerasinghe led off the singles portion of the match with dominating performances. Palanisamy did not drop a single game at No. 3 singles, while Weerasinghe was a 6-1, 6-2 winner at No. 3. Jon Kaasa wrapped up the team match with Goshen's fifth point, 6-3, 6-3 at No. 2 singles.

The lone loss for the Leafs in singles action was at the top spot. After dropping the first set 6-3, Perez roared back to even the match with an 8-6 tiebreak win in the second. He eventually succumbed to the Cougars' Nathan Barger 12-10 in a super-tiebreaker, but King was pleased with his effort.

Rounding out singles play, Ermoian won 7-6(1), 6-2 at No. 5 and Oyer defeated his opponent 6-3, 6-0 at No. 6.

"Luis played some terrific tennis to extend his match before losing a heart breaker," King explained. "Vasanth played precision tennis, frequently hitting balls past his opponent for outright winners and I am pleased with the way both Taylor and Michael are developing versatile and effective all-court games." 

The Maple Leafs will be back in action when they travel to Huntington University on Tuesday.

Results: Goshen 7, St Francis 2

Doubles:

1. Barger/Stallman (SF) def Kaasa/Weerasinghe 8-6
2. Perez/Palanisamy (G) def M. Dishman/Selking 8-2
3. Ermoian/Oyer (G) def Harrold/Tyler Baugher 8-5

Singles:

1. Nathan Barger (SF) def Luis Perez 6-3, 6-7(6-8), 12-10
2. Jon Kaasa (G) def Matt Stallman 6-3, 6-3
3. Vasanth Palanisamy (G) Payton Selking 6-0, 6-0
4. Aritha Weerasinghe (G) Tate Dishman 6-1, 6-2
5. Taylor Ermoian (G) Daniel Harrold 7-6(1), 6-2
6. Michael Oyer (G) Michael Thompson 6-3, 6-0