Salem State Defeats Western Connecticut 6-3
MIDDLEBURY, CT – Salem State led by Chen Chen (Lawrence, Mass.), who was playing in his final regular season match, defeated Western Connecticut State 6-3 at the Middlebury Racquet Club on Saturday. The Vikings improved to 8-4 and 6-1 in the Little East, clinching second place and earning a bye in the upcoming Little East Tournament. With the loss, the Colonials dropped to 3-11 overall and 3-4 in league play, finishing in fifth palce.
Chen and Andrew Muttiah (Colombo, Sri Lanka) teamed up to win the only point at doubles for Salem State, 8-1 over Will Hogan (Ridgefield, Conn.) / Mathew Kusaila (Goshen, Conn.) at first doubles.
Chen also picked up a 6-2, 6-1 win against Kusaila at fourth singles. Muttiah earned a 6-0, 6-0 sweep over Hogan at first singles. Mitchell Dyer (N. Attleboro, Mass.) picked up a 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 win against Chauncey Allers (Wilton, Conn.) at third singles.
Noah Hodgkins (Winthrop, Mass.), 6-0, 6-1 and Moses Ba (Lynn, Mass.), 3-6, 7-5, 10-5 earned wins at fifth and sixth singles respectively for Salem Sate.
UMass-Boston earned the top spot and along with the Vikings await their next opponent after the LEC quarterfinal round to be palyed Tuesday.