Box Score

Purchase, NY (Mar. 28, 2012) – Some early rain showers threatened to call off Wednesday afternoon's matchup with Mount Saint Mary, but the weather cleared up nicely and only delayed the match about an hour.

When play resumed, the visiting Knights jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage in doubles. The doubles play wound up being a springboard to victory for MSMC as the visitors edged Purchase, 6-3, snapping the Panthers' six-match win streak.

Mt. St. Mary (5-3, 1-0 Skyline) started strong. The Knights swept the doubles. The combination of Greg Jacob and Stat Willand earned an 8-5 win at No. 1. Nate Ahlberg and Mike McNicholas teamed for a 9-7 victory at No. 2, topping Purchase's Jeremyah Schur (FR/Forest Hills, NY) and Maxim Luiggi* (SR/Paris, France).

Zach Conlon and Conor Merryman wrapped up the sweep in doubles with an 8-5 win at No. 3.

But the Panthers showed their resilience in singles. No. 1 Brenden Keeling (JR/Ontario, Canada) downed MSMC's Jacob 6-0, 6-3. Reigning two-time Skyline Rookie of the Week Schur continued his impressive spring in another win at No. 2. Schur won in straight sets, 6-0, 6-1, defeating Nate Dimmie as the Panthers climbed back within one.

However, MSMC bounced back with a win at No. 3 and No. 6 singles to seal it. Willand won 6-4, 6-1 against Roger King* (JR/Yonkers, NY) at third singles and Purchase's Ben Ekis (SR/Rochester, NY) fell 6-4, 6-2 at No. 6.

“It's very difficult to come back and win a match when you fall behind 3-0 in doubles,” explained Purchase head coach Peter Nestel. “It puts you in a position to have to win five of the six singles. We nearly accomplished that today, but it's too much to ask of any team, regardless of how well we've been playing. We tip our caps to the Mount today. They played very well. Next time, we'll look to do better in doubles.

“Hopefully, we'll see Mount Saint Mary down the road in the tournament,” Nestel added.

The highlight of the afternoon for the Panthers was the play of standout rookie Michael Sorge (FR/Bronx, NY). Sorge defeated Mike McNicholas  7-5, 5-7 (10-7) in a thriller at No. 5.

“Great match,” Nestel said. “Michael played great. He and Jeremyah have certainly been welcomed additions to the program this season and for beyond.”

In the final singles match, Nate Ahlberg earned a tight 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win against Luiggi. Purchase's Carl Ackley (SR/Shoreham, NY) also played well in a singles exhibition, winning his match.    

Following the loss, the Panthers are now 6-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play. They will look to bounce back this weekend at Farmingdale State.