Wrestling Defeats George Mason, Falls to Northern Iowa at Grapple at the Garden

Sunday, December 21

New York, N.Y.

10:00 a.m.

Drexel University

Northern Iowa

Photo by: Ryan Samson

Wrestling Defeats George Mason, Falls to Northern Iowa at Grapple at the Garden

12/21/2014 2:15:00 PM | Wrestling

MANHATTAN – The Drexel wrestling team concluded competition at the third annual Grapple at the Garden on Sunday afternoon after going 1-1 on the day. The Dragons fell to Northern Iowa, 24-14 in the first dual and then went on to defeat George Mason for the third-straight year in the competition hosted at Madison Square Garden, 25-11. No. 15 Kevin Devoy remains undefeated on the season after securing two victories to improve his record to 11-0.

Northern Iowa struck first in the Dragons' first dual of the day, as the No. 6-ranked Dylan Peters defeated Tanner Shoap at 125 pounds. Devoy retaliated with a major decision over Leighton Gaul at 133 to even the score at four apiece and then David Pearce gave the Dragons the lead with an 11-0 major decision at 141. Northern Iowa secured wins at 149 and 157 to go ahead 11-8, but then Nick Elmer won by forfeit in the 165 match to put Drexel ahead yet again, 14-11. However, a late push from the Panthers resulted in Northern Iowa sweeping the last four matches and walking away with a 24-14 victory on the dual.

Despite the loss, the Dragons came out strong against George Mason as they earned wins in the first four matches. The fourth victory came as Matthew Cimato earned a win-by-fall over George Mason's James Hunsberger six minutes into the 149 match, which gave Drexel a 15-0 lead. The Patriots were able to get on the board with a win at 157 pounds, but then the Dragons took the next three matches as Elmer, Stephen Loiseau, and Alex DeCiantis secured victories at 165, 174, and 184 respectively. The Patriots made a last effort by earning victories in the 197 and heavyweight matches, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit the Dragons had created.

The Dragons, who are now 3-4 on the season in dual meets, will return to action on January 1-2 as they will ring in the new year with competition at the Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Northern Iowa (UNI) 24, Drexel (DU) 14
125: No. 6 Dylan Peters (UNI) MAJ Tanner Shoap (DU), 17-4
133: No. 15 Kevin Devoy Jr. (DU) MAJ Leighton Gaul (UNI), 10-0
141: David Pearce (DU) MAJ Tyler Willers (UNI), 11-0
149: Gunnar Wolfensperger (UNI) DEC Matthew Cimato (DU), 5-4
157: Jarrett Jensen (UNI) MAJ Noel Blanco (DU), 16-6
165: Nick Elmer (DU) receives a forfeit
174: Curt Maas (UNI) DEC Stephen Loiseau (DU), 3-2
184: Cody Caldwell (UNI) MAJ Alex DeCiantis (DU), 10-1
197: Basil Minto (UNI) DEC Joshua Murphy (DU), 4-3 (TB-1)
285: No. 15 Blaize Cabell (UNI) DEC Joey Goodhart (DU), 8-4

Drexel (DU) 25, George Mason (GMU) 11
125: Tanner Shoap (DU) DEC Ibrahim Banduka (GMU), 7-3
133: No. 15 Kevin Devoy Jr. (DU) DEC Vince Rodriguez (GMU), 5-3 (SV-1)
141: David Pearce (DU) DEC Sahid Kargbo (GMU), 3-2
149: Matthew Cimato (DU) WBF James Hunsberger (GMU) @ 6:00
157: Gregory Flournoy (GMU) MAJ Geoffrey Verallis (DU), 12-4
165: Nick Elmer (DU) DEC Ryan Forrest (GMU), 3-2
174: Stephen Loiseau (DU) MAJ Daniel Mika (GMU), 9-0
184: Alex DeCiantis (DU) DEC Ryan Hembury (GMU), 3-1 (SV-1)
197: Matt Meadows (GMU) DEC Brandon Litten (DU), 2-1 (TB-1)
285: Jacob Kettler (GMU) MAJ Alex Foley (DU), 8-0