NEWARK, NJ – Despite a pair of wins by freshman Wanze Li (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex), Rutgers-Newark fell to Western Connecticut State 5-4.

NCAA Box Score

Li, who entered the match with a 2-2 record, continued to show improvement, capturing a 6-0, 7-5 victory over sophomore Deborah Ferreira in sixth flight singles, while fellow freshman Amanda Northrup (Brick, NJ/St. Rose) earned her fifth victory of the season with a 6-4, 6-3 decision over the Colonials' Maxx Zimmer in No. 5 singles.

Senior Nicole Rubinetti (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) suffered just her third loss of the season with a 6-4, 6-2 defeat in top flight singles, while junior Monica Iturralde (Kenilworth, NJ/David Brearly) and freshman Jillian Dierenfield (Ankeny, IA/Ankeny) fell in second and fourth flight singles, respectively.

Scarlet Raiders' sophomore Kelly Fitzsimmons (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex) rounded out singles play with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 loss to junior counterpart Brittany Hoynack in third flight singles, leaving the Scarlet Raiders with a 4-2 deficit entering doubles competition.

Despite a pair of 8-6 wins in first and third flight doubles from the duo of Iturralde and Dierenfield and the tandem of Li and Muobo Anidi (East Orange, NJ/Arlington), the Scarlet Raiders' comeback bid fell short when Fitzsimmons and Northrup fell in No. 2 doubles, 8-1.

Rutgers-Newark will compete in the NJAIAW Championships held at Drew University this weekend, before hosting its final home game of the season on Monday, October 13 against New Jersey Athletic Conference rival Kean.