Florence , S.C.----Wingate University senior Matt Lichtenstein (Darnestown, Md.) won a three-set thriller at the number three singles position, clinching a come-from-behind 5-4 NCAA Division II victory for the Bulldogs over the host Francis Marion University Patriots Tuesday at the Kassab Courts. Lichtenstein rallied for a 6-7, 6-2, 6-3 triumph over FMU freshman Gavin Davison (Bingley, England) to give Wingate a huge Southeast Region victory.
 
Lichtenstein and classmate Drew Owen (Kitchener, Ontario) won two matches each for the Bulldogs. Wingate improves to 8-5 overall with the road victory. The number 13 team in NCAA Division II, Francis Marion falls to 7-3 overall. The FMU Patriots only other losses this year came at the hands of number nine Columbus State (6-3) and number 10 Lander (5-4).
 
The Bulldogs won three three-set singles matches to take the match. Wingate senior Drew Owen (Kitchener, Ontario) tied the match 4-4 with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over FMU senior Jack Bishop (Kent, England) at the number two singles flight. Earlier in the afternoon, freshman Diego Martinez (Queretaro, Mexico) recovered from a 6-0 second-set loss to take a 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 triumph over Patriot freshman Jonathan Hain (Aathen, Germany) in the number four singles match.
 
Wingate led 2-1 after doubles, with Lichtenstein and Owen earning a point at the number two doubles flight. Martinez also picked up two victories Tuesday, as he teamed with sophomore Ryan Forbes (Charlotte, N.C.) to collect a point at the number three doubles position.

Men's Tennis Match Results
Mar 20, 2012 at Florence, S.C.
 
Wingate 5, #13 Francis Marion 4
 
Singles competition
1. Alex Caspari (FMU) def. Flavio Rathsam (WU) 6-2, 6-2
2. Drew Owen (WU) def. Jack Bishop (FMU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
3. Matt Lichtenstein (WU) def. Gavin Davison (FMU) 6-7, 6-2, 6-3
4. Diego Martinez (WU) def. Jonathan Hain (FMU) 6-1, 1-6, 6-4
5. Tim Ruepke (FMU) def. Neal Towlson (WU) 6-3, 6-4
6. Dirk Bair (FMU) def. Ryan Forbes (WU) 6-1, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #19 Caspari/Davison (FMU) def. Rathsam/Towlson (WU) 8-2
2. Owen/Lichtenstein (WU) def. Bishop/Hain (FMU) 9-7
3. Martinez/Forbes (WU) def. Ruepke/Bair (FMU) 9-8 (3)
 
Match Notes: Wingate 8-5 overall; Francis Marion 7-3 overall;
Nat’l ranking #13; Regional ranking #6 A-175