Box Score (PDF)
PHILADELPHIA – The George Mason University men's tennis team continued its sizzling streak of clutch play and timely execution with a 4-3 victory over A-10 opponent Duquesne on Saturday afternoon on the campus of Saint Joseph's University.
The Dukes led the match 3-1 and had three chances to close it out, but the Patriots came from behind to grab victory for the second-straight contest.
The win improves the Patriots to 3-2 in league play and 10-9 overall. Mason also improves to 5-1 in matches decided by a 4-3 margin this season.
The Patriots have won five-consecutive matches.
"I'm so proud of our guys," head coach Jimmy Davis said. "We have been tested in our last three conference matches and showed we have what it takes. We were down 1-2 and 2-3 overall in this match and not one guy on our roster doubted our ability to win. Everyone competed relentlessly, but I'm so happy Giuliano was able to take the clinch in this match. He's been such a great leader for us and has been working so hard for this moment. He got it and delivered. This was a great team win and we're excited to continue getting better each match."
The Dukes opened the match by taking the doubles point. At No. 1,
Pally Ray and
Ryan Charles nearly pulled off the victory but fell in a tight 7-5 decision. At No. 3, Eddie Ayers and
Giuliano Buzoianu dropped a 6-4 match.
Jakob Nielsen and
Erick Rivas led 6-5 at No. 2 doubles, but that match was called after the point was clinched.
Moving on to singles, Duquesne won at No. 2 to build a 2-0 lead. At that point, Mason put a point on the board after a strong showing from Nielsen. The Mississauga, Ontario, product won in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) over Alex Mascioli to move Mason within one. Nielsen is now 9-5 in dual singles this season and 3-2 in A-10 matches.
Duquesne extended the lead back to two (3-1) after a win at No. 2 singles, but from there, Mason began to mount its comeback.
Ayers took control at No. 1, winning in straight sets (6-1, 6-3) to move Mason within one. Then at No. 6, Rivas channeled some late match heroics for the second-straight day after clinching the win over La Salle. He dropped his first set in a tiebreak (6-7 (7-9)), but rebounded to win the second, 6-1. He then led 4-1 in the third before his opponent retired, thus tying the score at 3-3.
With the match on the line, Buzoianu made the veteran plays needed to lead his team to victory. He cruised in his first set (6-1), then fell in a tight tiebreak in the second. After heading to a deciding third frame, the Romanian came out top in a tight final set (7-5) to send Mason on to Sunday with a chance for a weekend A-10 sweep.
The Green & Gold now battle host Saint Joseph's on Sunday at 11 a.m. in Philadelphia.
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