Southern Maine Drops 5-4 Decision at Western Connecticut

            DANBURY, Conn. -- Junior Angelica Jara (Patterson, N.Y.) rallied after being down one set to win the final point as the Western Connecticut State University Colonials defeated the visiting University of Southern Maine Huskies, 5-4, in a Little East Conference women's tennis match Saturday afternoon at the Westside Court.

            The win improved the Colonials record to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play.  It also snapped a 27-match losing streak in conference matches dating back to October 2010.  The Huskies dropped their fourth one-point decision of the season to fall to 3-7 overall and 1-4 in the LEC.

            Jara dropped the opening set 6-4 to USM sophomore Liz Martin (Naugatuck, Conn./Woodland Regional) before coming back to win the next two sets 6-1, 6-3 to provide the Colonials with the decisive point.  Jara also combined with rookie Lianne Maynard (Milford, Conn.) for a 9-7 win at first doubles.

            The Huskies, who trailed 2-1 after the three doubles matches, won three singles matches to tie the match at 4-4.  Junior Sarah Hill (Topsham, Maine/Mt. Ararat) took a 7-6(1), 6-3 win over Maynard at number one.  Sophomore Katie Quinn (Hollis, Maine/Bonny Eagle) took a straight sets win over sophomore Carine Jacqué (New London, Conn.) at number four, and classmate Emily Collins (St. David, Maine/Madawaska) defeated junior Alexandra Moravsky (Sherman, Conn.) 6-4, 6-4 at number six.

            Juniors Emily Estes (Gorham, Maine) and Courtney Aldrich (Lewiston, Maine) provided USM with its lone doubles points taking an 8-4 decision over senior Melissa Osorio (Bethel, Conn.) and Jacqué.

            Senior Nicole Salamacha (Winsted, Conn.) provided the Colonials with a pair of key points taking a straight set win over Estes at number five singles, and combining with Moravsky for an 8-4 win at third doubles.

            Southern Maine is back on the courts Wednesday (4:00 p.m.) hosting Colby-Sawyer College at the Costello Sports Complex field house.  Western Connecticut is on the road Tuesday (8:00 p.m.) for a match at Yeshiva. 

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