Box Score

TOWSON, Md. – With Goucher College holding a 4-2 advantage over the Drew University men's tennis team in a Landmark Conference dual match on Sunday, three Rangers singles players rattled off consecutive victories to clinch a 5-4 win on the road.
 
Juniors Scott Vander Veen and Dereck McMullen and freshman Nick Lantieri won in the fourth through sixth singles spots, respectively, to help the Rangers improve to 2-2 in conference play.
 
"It's a very good team win when you get that kind of production from the lower half of the lineup," said first-year head coach Matthew Brisotti. "They had the support of the guys that had already finished. They took care of everything in their control, focused on their game plan, and didn't try to force anything."
 
The Rangers (2-4) had a 2-1 lead after doubles competition. VanderVeen and sophomore Adam Clark went to overtime to defeat their Goucher opponents at second doubles, 9-7. McMullen and Lantieri teamed up for an 8-5 victory at third doubles to give Drew the advantage heading into singles play.
 
The Gophers won three straight at first, second and third singles to take a 4-2 lead in the dual match. Despite falling in their matches, Clark, senior Vin Mahon and junior Tommy Butschi were still wearing their game faces to cheer on their teammates.
 
"After their matches were done, they were out there doing their best to keep a positive vibe going for the team and giving the other guys support as much as they can from the sideline," Brisotti said. "A little encouragement goes a long way. They lost their matches, but they didn't hang their heads. They were their teammates biggest fans."
 
The extra encouragement may have been the final push needed to bury the Gophers. McMullen started the rally with a straight-set 6-4, 6-2 victory at fifth singles.
 
VanderVeen tied the match at 4-4 with a 6-0, 2-6, 6-3 win at fourth singles. It was the second straight three-setter for the Drew junior. Brisotti sensed he was ready to go the distance thanks to the experience gained from a three-set win against Scranton last weekend.
 
Lantieri also was coming off a three-set match, a loss at home to Scranton last weekend. The Ranger rookie rebounded with a 6-4, 6-2 win with the match on the line to give Drew the 5-4 dual match win.
 
"Nick bounced back after a tough three-set loss against Scranton," Brisotti said. "The experience from the Scranton match carried through. He was absolutely ready for the moment. He focuses on staying loose and not letting the pressure of the match being on the line get to him."
 
The Rangers hope to carry the momentum through a busy three-match week, beginning on Tuesday with a Landmark Conference game at The United States Merchant Marine Academy on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Drew returns to Madison to defend its home courts on Thursday, April 8 in the Battle of Madison Ave. against FDU-Florham at 3:30 p.m.
 
Drew's final road dual match of the season is set for Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m. at Juniata College.