March 30, 2009
GORHAM, Maine - Endicott senior Josh Schoen (Phoenix, Ariz.) earned an 8-6 pro set win at first singles and helped gut out a 9-8 (7-5) win at first doubles to lead the Gulls to a 7-0 win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a non-conference men's tennis match Monday evening at the Costello Sports Complex in Gorham, Maine. Earning its third straight win, Endicott improves to 4-3 overall. The loss drops Southern Maine to 2-3.
Schoen edged out USM senior Derek Stevenson (Raymond, Maine) 8-6 at first singles and then teamed with junior Dan Murray (Coventry, R.I.) for a hard-earned 9-8 (7-5) in the top spot of the doubles points. Stevenson and junior Josh Warren (Hermon, Maine) forced six match points before succumbing to Schoen and Murray.
Following Murray and Schoen's lead, the Gulls swept all three doubles points to set the tone for the match. The Huskies were able to hang around however as sophomore Zach Caron (North Conway, N.H.) and freshman Terrence Classen (Brownfield, Maine) pushed the Gull tandem of senior Marc Maloney (Feeding Hills, Mass.) and junior Scott Kitchen (Norwell, Mass.) rallying from a 6-3 deficit to knot the score up at 6-6 before falling 8-6 at third doubles.
After the doubles sweep, Endicott was able to clinch the match winning the fourth, fifth and sixth singles points in succession, including a hard fought 6-4, 6-4 decision at fifth singles by senior Gabriel Moraga (Marlborough, Conn.) over Caron.
Southern Maine is at Little East Conference opponent UMass Dartmouth on Saturday (1:00 p.m.). Endicott College is at The Commonwealth Coast Conference foe Curry College on Wednesday (3:30 p.m.).
