On Wednesday, Goshen College picked up 2.5 points in the U.S. Highway 20 Cup, as three Maple Leaf teams secured victories over the Bethel University Pilots. The cup is a rivalry between all of the Leafs and Pilots teams throughout the year.
The Leafs women’s tennis team defeated the Pilots, with doubles victories coming from the No. 1 team of Blanka Bodo and Maria Clara Fonte and the No. 3 team of Marin Kawano and Uliana Dotsenko. Singles victories came from Dotsenko, Bodo, Vishmi Serasinghe and Sara Nino.On the men’s side, Iago Ciucio and Garrett Stoltzfus, Emre Gumeric and Timo Novak, and Paulo Santiago and Filipo Gallo won their doubles matches. Ciucio, Novak, Stoltzfus, Gallo and Santiago all recorded singles victories.
Stoltzfus was named the Crossroads League player of the week for last week. Reflecting on the game against the Pilots, he said, “We were all supporting and coaching each other and celebrating as a team. Being a part of such a supportive and uplifting team has given me confidence and has really shaped me as a person and a player.”
The final victory of the day came in softball. In the first game, the Leafs put up seven runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take an 11-4 victory.
In the second game, the Pilots mounted a four-run comeback at the top of the seventh after a steady Leafs lead, but the Leafs closed out the final batter to record a 7-6 victory.
Head coach Luke Wagner commended his team’s performance. “I think the pitchers kept the defense in a good rhythm by attacking hitters and making sure balls were put in play,” he said.
The standings in the U.S. Highway 20 Cup are now tied at 7.75 points each. The next meeting between the teams is scheduled for April 11 in softball.
