Goldsmith, Wabshinak earn points, but MCLA falls to RIC 6-3
Bennington, Vt- The visiting Rhode Island College Men's Tennis team earned a 6-3 win over the MCLA Trailblazers this afternoon in a match moved indoors at the Bennington Tennis Center. The Trailblazers drop to 0-3 with the setback while the Anchormen are now 2-5.
MCLA took an early lead in doubles when Aaron Goldsmith and Rob Wabshinak teamed to defeat the duo of Brett Taggart and Lee Tiberi 8-1 for the first point of the match. The Anchormen would take the next two doubles matches winning a nailbiter in the second slot. Alan Esposito and Matt Gambardella defeated Rich LaRoque and Michael Rooney 8-6 to earn a point. In the third match, RIC's Chandler Scott and Cory Duquette cruised to an 8-2 victory giving the Anchormen a 2-1 lead heading into singles play.
Trailblazers' Goldsmith and Wabshinak earned their second points of the day in the top two singles slots to give MCLA an advantage. Goldsmith defeated Taggart 6-4, 6-3 to earn his point, while Wabshinak handled Tiberi 6-4, 6-0.
RIC's Esposito lost just one game in winning the third singles match, while Scott won 6-1, 6-1 in the fourth spot to give the Anchormen back the advantage. They would close out the match with straight set wins from Duquette and Gambardella to account for the final score.
MCLA will open NAC play on Saturday when they travel to Johnson State College at 4pm on Saturday afternoon.