PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — George Mason University fell to Saint Louis University 4-3 on Friday. The Patriots secured three singles victories fell due to Saint Louis's strong doubles performance.
George Mason was unable to secure the doubles point against Saint Louis, as the visiting team claimed victories at both No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Declan Townsend and Luca Lo Nardo dominated at No. 2 doubles, defeating
Shari Saeed and
Deniz Okyay, 6-1. Andres Castellanos and Valentin Vasquez followed with a 6-4 win over
Niza Simunyola and
Nicholas Novitski at No. 3 doubles. The No. 1 doubles match between Sacha Lefebure and Adrien Ducruet and the Green & Gold's
Monil Lotlikar and
Ekansh Kumar was left unfinished with a score of 5-5.
In singles, George Mason rallied at No. 6 singles where
Shari Saeed defeated Riki Koshimizu in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, putting the home team on the board. However, Saint Louis extended its lead when Luca Lo Nardo overcame
Zavan Fahim at No. 5 singles, 6-1, 4-6, 10-4. Lotlikar then cut the deficit with a hard-fought victory at No. 2 singles, edging Castellanos, 6-3, 6-7(6), 11-9.
The match reached a critical point at No. 1 singles, where Declan Townsend clinched the dual match for Saint Louis with a 6-7(7), 7-6(4), 10-7 win over Okyay. Although Kumar secured a win at No. 3 singles for the Green & Gold, 3-6, 6-1, 10-6 against Lefebure, Saint Louis sealed their 4-3 victory when Adrien Ducruet prevailed over Simunyola at No. 4 singles, 7-6(7), 3-6, 10-7.
Saint Louis 4, George Mason 3
Singles competition
1. Declan Townsend (SLU) def.
Deniz Okyay (GMU) 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-4), 10-7
2.
Monil Lotlikar (GMU) def. Andres Castellanos (SLU) 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 11-9
3.
Ekansh Kumar (GMU) def. Sacha Lefebure (SLU) 3-6, 6-1, 10-6
4. Adrien Ducruet (SLU) def.
Niza Simunyola (GMU) 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 10-7
5. Luca Lo Nardo (SLU) def.
Zavan Fahim (GMU) 6-1, 4-6, 10-4
6.
Shari Saeed (GMU) def. Riki Koshimizu (SLU) 7-5, 6-3
Order of finish:6,5,2,1,3,4
Doubles competition
1.
Monil Lotlikar/
Ekansh Kumar (GMU) vs. Sacha Lefebure/Adrien Ducruet (SLU) 5-5, unfinished
2. Declan Townsend/Luca Lo Nardo (SLU) def.
Shari Saeed/
Deniz Okyay (GMU) 6-1
3. Andres Castellanos/Valentin Vasquez (SLU) def.
Niza Simunyola/
Nicholas Novitski (GMU) 6-4
Order of finish: 2,3
Up next
The Patriots continue the weekend with a match against Saint Joseph's on Saturday, April 4 at 11 a.m.