Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo of Begona Gomar, who played at number two singles on Saturday.

OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. - - Competing in its first ever match as a women's tennis program at Wilmington University, the Wildcats fell to East Region perennial power NYIT, 9-0, on Saturday afternoon at the NYIT Tennis Complex.

Despite the outcome, head coach Brad Rose was encouraged by the fight his young team showed.

"Our girls played them tough," Rose said. "We knew they were gong to be really good, but we weren't exactly sure what to expect from NYIT. I don't think they out hit us, but you could definitely notice the experience they had over our girls."

Each of the three doubles matches finished 8-2 in favor of the Bears, giving the home team a 3-0 advantage going to the singles matches.

The closest match of the afternoon came at number two singles, as the Wildcats' freshman Begona Gomar took the second set from Karolina Pondusova, 7-5. But the Bear was able to earn the match in the third set, 10-2.

Sophomore Anushka Sathe challenged Lena Dimmer in the second set at number one singles, before falling 6-0, 6-4. Freshman Laura Gil dropped the match, 6-1, 6-2, at the number three singles while freshman Sabrina Blasi-Smith fell at the number four singles, 6-0 and 6-2.

Freshman Milica Knezevic fell at number five singles, 6-1 and 6-0, while classmate Dorotea Rankovic closed out the afternoon at number six singles, falling 6-1 and 6-3.

The Wildcats remain on the road to start their careers, as they head to Bloomsburg for a night match on Tuesday. The first serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on campus at the Burt Reese Tennis Center.