GOVERNOR MIFFLIN, PA - Six hours after the scheduled start time of 1:00 PM, the Messiah men's team barely scraped out at win at Alvernia this afternoon 5-4. Messiah pulled out court one doubles and then courts one, two, five and six singles to nab the victory over the Golden Wolves in a rain delayed, six hour cumulative match. 

Doubles
Over the last 12 matchups spanning back to 2011, Alvernia had lost all 12 matchups against Messiah with the closest margin coming in 2013, when Messiah won 6-3. Alvernia was ready to earn their first ever win against the Falcons, stunning Messiah after doubles play, taking two of three courts for the 2-1 advantage after doubles. The steady play of Wilson/Rose continued, earning an 8-5 win on court one for Messiah. Courts two and three favored Alvernia, with Baker/Gingerich losing 2-8 on court two while E. Martin/Niemi lost 5-8 on court three doubles. 

Singles
Facing that 1-2 deficit heading into the singles, Messiah answered the call on the top two singles courts with Chase Wilson and Connor Rose. WIlson won 6-3, 6-0 over Michael Brophy on court one, while Connor Rose took down Lucas Berger in a three set thriller, 4-6, 7-5, 6-0. Rose also took down Berger in September in the MAC Individuals tournament where he bested Berger 2-6, 6-5(5), (11-9). 

The Golden Wolves were determined on courts three through six, earning a win on court three against Michael Sell and court four against Josh Gingerich. Sell lost 0-6, 7-5, 1-6 and then Gingerich lost convincingly 2-6, 1-6. Alvernia was holding a 4-3 lead with courts five and six still in play. 

It would continue trending Alvernia's way, with both courts five and six picking up a first set win over Jonathan Baker and Ellis Martin. But the resilience of the Falcons prevailed as Baker rallied from dropping the first set 0-6, to win court five 0-6, 6-2, 6-3, while Ellis Martin clinched the final match of the day for the Falcons in exciting fashion. Martin as well dropped the first set but in a close 4-6 set. Martin won the second and third sets 6-1, and 6-2 to complete the rally and deny the Golden Wolves their first win against Messiah in the history of the matchup.

Messiah would clinch the overall match 5-4.

Results
Doubles
1. WIlson/Rose - W 8-5 (Brophy/Angeles)
2. Baker/Gingerich - L 2-8 (Berger/Lewis)
3. E. Martin/Niemi - L 5-8 (Heinzelman/Figurelil)

Singles
1. Wilson - W 6-3, 6-0 (Brophy)
2. Rose - W 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 (Berger)
3. Sell - L 0-6, 7-5, 1-6 (Heinzelman)
4. Gingerich - L 2-6, 1-6 (Lewis)
5. Baker - W 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 (Angeles)
6. E. Martin - W 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 (Figurelli)

Next
The dramatic win brings the Falcons record to 6-8 and 3-0 in the conference. Messiah will host Stevenson on April 13, at 3:30 pm at Criste Courts in Grantham, Pa.