Bulldogs compete with No.22 Engineers, ultimately fall, 4-3

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – With the match tied, 3-3, the decision came down to No. 5 singles, where freshman Albert Go defeated sophomore Michael Plutt (Weston, Fla.) in three games, allowing No. 22 MIT to edge out the Bryant University men's tennis team, 4-3, on Wednesday evening.

The Engineers' (6-0) Go captured the first game at No. 5 singles with a 7-5 decision over the Bulldogs' (5-10) Plutt, but the sophomore evened the match with a 6-2 win in the second, forcing a match-deciding third game. Go was ultimately successful in the third, sealing the match for the Engineers with a 6-4 edge over Plutt, helping No. 22 MIT stay perfect on the season.

The Bulldogs took the initial 1-0 lead after sweeping the doubles point. The duos of Matt Kuhar (Smithfield, R.I.) and Luke Lorenz (Colorado Springs, Colo.) at No. 1 doubles and Josh Kliger (Newport Beach, Calif.) and Jorge Ortiz-Garcia (Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico) at No. 2 doubles took down both of their competitors by a 6-3 margin. Plutt and partner Artur Jakubowski (Dallas, Texas) defeated Sean Ko and Victor Cheng, 6-4, at No. 3 doubles.

The Black and Gold claimed their final two points at No. 2 and No. 6 singles. Lorenz topped Alex Cauneac, 6-3, 6-4, at No. 2, while Ortiz-Garcia was victorious over Kenny Gea, 6-0, 6-3, at No. 6. Like Plutt at No. 5 singles, Jakubowski and Argentini forced their matches at No. 3 and No. 4 singles, respectively, into three games, but were ultimately defeated.

Jakubowski led at No. 3 singles after winning the first game, 6-4, before Cheng topped the sophomore in the final two games, 7-6, 7-6. Argentini was dominant in the first, topping Ko, 6-1, but Ko fought back to take down the rookie, 6-2, 6-0, in the final two games.

Next up, the Bulldogs will host Mount St. Mary's on March 24 in their NEC-season opener in Smithfield.