CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Golden Eagles fell to Fairmont State University 5-3 on Saturday evening in the Mountain East Conference Semi-Final.

Charleston jumped out to a 1-0 lead in doubles as Ben Lakeman and Joao Tayar avenged a loss to Fairmont's No. 1 doubles team during the regular season.  At No. 3 doubles, Jason Prince and Elliot LePetit kept the match close, but ultimately fell to the Falcons 8-5.  Alek Gracin and Tom Andrews at No. 2 doubles were down 7-4, fighting hard to even the score to 7-7, but eventually fell 9-8 in a tie-breaker.
 
In singles action, Fairmont State got two quick wins at No.'s 1 and 6 singles to extend the lead to 4-1.  Alek Gracin soon earned a second point for Charleston at the No. 4 singles spot, and Joao Tayar followed suit at No. 2 singles, bringing the score to 4-3 in favor of Fairmont. Tom Andrews at No. 3 singles and Jason Prince at No. 5 singles both entered third sets with Fairmont needing to win both matches to secure the win.  Prince eventually fell 7-5 in the third set and Andrew's match was noted 4-4 in the third set and went in the books as unfinished. 
 
Even with the loss, the Golden Eagles are expected to hold on to their No. 6 ranking in the Atlantic Region and should proceed to the NCAA tournament.


 
Doubles
#1 Lakeman/Tayar (UC) def. Pachane/Avles (FSU), 8-2
#2 Martins/Higueras (FSU) def. Gracin/Andrews (UC), 9-8 (7-5)
#3 Liddy/Early (FSU) def. Prince/Le Petit (UC), 8-5
 
Singles
#1 Lucas Alves (FSU) def. Ben Lakeman (UC), 6-0, 6-3
#2 Joao Taylor (UC) def. Gui Pachane (FSU), 6-2, -63
#4 Alec Gracin (UC) def. Matias Higueras (FSU), 6-1, 6-1
#5 Dillon Early (FSU) def. Jason Prince (UC), 1-6, 7-5, 7-5
#6 Tom Liddy (FSU) def. Le Petit (UC), 6-0, 6-1