Southern Maine Drops LEC Opener to Bridgewater State

            GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine women's tennis team opened Little East Conference play Saturday afternoon by dropping a 9-0 decision to the visiting Bridgewater State University Bears at the Gorham High School courts.

            The loss was the second straight this season for the Huskies who fall to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference.  The Bears run their mark to 2-0 overall and in LEC play.

            Bridgewater State got off to a strong start sweeping the three doubles matches, including an 8-5 decision turned in at number one by juniors Alisha Silva (Taunton, Mass.) and Alison Scagnelli (Sutton, Mass.) over the USM duo of seniors Deb Attalla (Navarre, Fla./Woburn (Mass.)) and Liz Martin (Naugatuck, Conn./Woodland Regional).

            The Bears proceeded to sweep the six singles matches en route to the victory.  Silva took a 7-6 (3), 6-1 win over Attalla at the top of the singles ladder, and Scagnelli dispatched with senior Rikki Demoranville (Madawaska, Maine) 8-0 at number three.

            Southern Maine returns to the courts this coming Thursday (4:00 p.m.) traveling to Colby College.  Bridgewater State hosts Johnson & Wales University on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.).

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