JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - UNF men's tennis fell behind early and nearly managed enough momentum to mount a comeback, but the visiting FGCU Eagles (2-4, 1-0 ASUN) staved off the Ospreys (3-8, 0-1 ASUN), 5-2, Friday, March 19.

Despite saving match point three times at third doubles, FGCU held off Nilo Duarte and Rodrigo Crespo in the deciding doubles point, 7-6 (7-5). Federico Nani and Jorge Nunez were the lone doubles winners for UNF, winning, 6-2, at second doubles.

The Eagles managed a 3-0 lead after winning in straight sets at singles slots two and four. A tiebreak win at court one keyed the Ospreys back into the match. Dominik Barton got UNF on the board with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 victory against Magnus Johnson. PJ Kotan followed up with a 6-4, 7-5 victory at five singles.

Things hinged on slots three and six with UNF trailing, 3-2. Matt Carroll won 7-6 (7-4) in frame one, but Felipe Ramirez rebounded to clinch the match for FGCU. 

With it clinched, Joe Ellis managed a 7-5 set two win, but a 7-6 (7-4) defeat in session one and a 6-4 loss in three gave FGCU its fifth point.
 
Singles Competition
1. Dominik Barton (UNF-M) def. JOHNSON, Magnus (FGCU) 7-6 (7-4), 6-3
2. MONTES, Juan (FGCU) def. Nilo Duarte (UNF-M) 6-2, 6-2
3. RAMIREZ, Felipe (FGCU) def. Matt Carroll (UNF-M) 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, 6-2
4. WILSON, Randy (FGCU) def. Rodrigo Crespo (UNF-M) 6-2, 6-3
5. Patrick Kotan (UNF-M) def. CONCA, Alessandro (FGCU) 6-4, 7-5
6. STEFANACCI, Gugli (FGCU) def. Joe Ellis (UNF-M) 7-6 (7-4), 5-7, 6-4
 
Doubles Competition
1. RAMIREZ, Felipe/SAKALAUSKAS, Feliks (FGCU) def. Dominik Barton/Matt Carroll (UNF-M) 6-3
2. Federico Nani/Jorge Nunez (UNF-M) def. MONTES, Juan/MACIEL, Pedro (FGCU) 6-2
3. JOHNSON, Magnus/DAMM, Max (FGCU) def. Rodrigo Crespo/Nilo Duarte (UNF-M) 7-6 (7-5)
 
Match Notes
FGCU 2-4, 1-0 AUN
North Florida 3-8, 0-1 ASUN
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (4,2,1,5,3,6)

Other Notes

• UNF leads the all-time series 10-8.
• Nani and Nunez have won three straight at doubles
• Kotan is on a three-match winning streak at singles

Coach Lucas' Comments
"Tough one today. We didn't take the doubles point when it was on our racket. We came out in four matches really strong. Unfortunately we had two guys not fully there today and we saw ourselves down 3-0 really quickly. That's a tough climb against a really good team. We nearly turned the match, and if we close our court three I have total confidence in Joe Ellis to get us across the finish line. The biggest takeaway is we need all six to show up and compete. That's the only way we can be great. We haven't had it yet this year, but we will continue to challenge the guys and we still have a lot of opportunities ahead. Swoop." - Head Coach Matt Lucas

Up Next
UNF hosts Flagler Wednesday March 24. First serve is set for 2 p.m.