Go-pher Away: Wisconsin claims Border Battle

Saturday, March 11

Madison, WI

NOON

Wisconsin Badgers

Minnesota

Photo by: David Stluka

Go-pher Away: Wisconsin claims Border Battle

March 11, 2017 | Men's Tennis

Josef Dodridge comeback clinches thrilling 4-3 Badgers win

MADISON, Wis. – Any doubts about whether this year's Border Battle would be close between #33 Wisconsin (10-2, 2-0) and #32 Minnesota (10-4, 0-1) dissolved with an epic 4-3 Badger win this afternoon at Nielsen Tennis Stadium.

The Badgers gained the doubles point for the 12^th consecutive time this season and beat the Gophers 2-0 thanks to efforts from No. 1 doubles pair juniors Chema Carranza and Josef Dodridge, as well as No. 2 doubles tandem freshman Chase Colton and junior Lamar Remy.

Remy and Colton quickly gathered the first win over Minnesota's Marino Alpeza and Justyn Levin, 6-3, to move to 10-2 on the year.

Dodridge and Carranza were met with greater resistance. The duo battled to a 6-6 stalemate before claiming a 7-4 tiebreaker to beat the duo of Matic Spec and Felix Corwin, 7-6.

The intensity and closeness in doubles only increased in singles play.

Daniel Soyfer was the first Badger to strike gold in the singles category, beating Marino Alpeza in two sets, 7-6, 6-2.

"It's all about competing," Soyfer relayed. "It's about never giving up and fighting to the very end no matter what."

The Badger freshman is now 9-2 in the dual season.

But after Remy and Carranza suffered losses at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions respectively, Wisconsin and Minnesota were deadlocked at 2-2 in the team score.

It was sophomore Osgar O'Hoisin who gave the Badgers their next burst, winning at the No. 4 spot over Eli Ogilvy in three sets, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Wisconsin didn't hold the 3-2 lead for long, as Josip Krstanovich handed freshman Chase Colton a loss at the No. 5 spot, 7-6, 6-4.

Wisconsin and Minnesota were all tied up at 3-3 with one match still in play: Dodridge vs. Minnesota's Felix Corwin at the No. 2 singles spot.

Dodridge won the first set 7-5, but surrendered the second set 3-6 and started the third down 0-3.

But the lively Nielsen crowd coupled with a strong backing from Badgers who finished play gave Dodridge just the boost he needed.

The junior ripped off six straight games to claim the third set, 6-3, and clinch the Badger Win.

"There was so much going through my mind and it's tough to keep your composure through these kinds of situations," an exuberant Dodridge said. "When I fell behind 3-0 in the third set, I just told myself I had to get back to what I do best. In tight situations, when you do the basics well, you tend to come through."

And he did just that.

Wisconsin gets a much-deserved week off next week but are back in action on March 22, as they take on San Diego in California.