Eagles Edge Gophers for Final Landmark Playoff Spot

TOWSON, Md. — Both Goucher and Juniata entered today's match knowing that a win would clinch the fourth seed in the upcoming Landmark postseason tournament.

The Gophers grabbed the early advantage, taking a 2-1 lead after the three doubles matches. The Eagles, though, rallied during the singles portion of the afternoon, winning four of the first five matches to put away Goucher with a 5-4 victory.

The doubles tandems of Amanda Bercovici (Hackensack, N.J./Bergen Tech)/Alex Walsh (Greens Farm, Conn./Staples) and Emily Ruff (Easton, Md./Easton)/Hanora Barron (Auburn, N.Y./Auburn) gave Goucher its early lead. Bercovici and Walsh bested Heather Waring and Megan Phillips 8-1 from the No. 1 spot to seal a perfect 6-0 season in conference matches. Ruff and Barron, meanwhile, edged out a tight 8-6 win over Rachel Yurchisin and Cara Stough from the No. 3 spot.

Bercovici also ended her singles season strong, defeating Waring 7-5, 6-0 at No. 1 to conclude her first year as a Gopher with a 21-4 record, 6-0 in conference matches.

Juniata then handed Goucher straight-set losses from the No. 2, 3, 4 and 6 positions to seal its victory and exact some revenge for the Gophers 5-3 win when the two teams squared off in the Landmark semifinals last season.

Kirsten Cianci (Bolton, Conn./Bolton) picked up Goucher's fourth point with a 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 triumph over Mitsuki Koh at No. 4, earning her second conference win of the season.

Prior to the start, seniors Barron and Ryan Derham (San Anselmo, Calif./Sir Francis Drake) were recognized in the final home match of their Gopher careers.

Juniata (11-4, 3-3 Landmark) advances to face top-seeded Scranton in the conference semifinals. The Gophers see their season end with a 9-11 record, 2-4 in conference play.