Lock Haven Outlasts Wrestling, 18-15

Friday, January 16

Daskalakis Athletic Center

7:00 p.m.

Drexel University

Lock Haven

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

1/16/2015 8:54:00 PM | Wrestling

PHILADELPHIA - Although the Drexel wrestling team staged a late comeback highlighted by a pin from Jason Fugiel at 184, the squad was unable to overcome a 18-15 deficit created by Lock Haven on Friday evening at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.

Lock Haven got on the board first after picking up a win at 125 to go ahead early, 3-0. No. 16 Kevin Devoy Jr. came up next and fell behind 2-0 in the first period, but was able to pick up a reversal before the end of the period to tie things up at two apiece. Lock Haven's Ronnie Perry earned a point for an escape in the second period to take a 3-2 lead into the third period. With just over 30 seconds remaining in the match, Devoy picked up a crucial two point take down to earn a 4-3 victory and tie the team score up at 3-3.

David Pearce followed in the 141 pound match. Despite a strong effort towards the end of the third period, Pearce fell to Lock Haven's Bobby Rehm, 6-3. Matthew Cimato, who was ranked No. 20 in the nation going into this match, led 1-0 at the end of the second period at 149. However, an escape and a two-point takedown from Lock Haven's Dan Neff caused him to drop a 4-1 decision, giving the Bald Eagles a 9-3 advantage.

The 157 match between Noel Blanco and Elias Biddle remained scoreless as they headed into the third period. Biddle pulled ahead 2-0, but Blanco was able to quickly get a takedown to tie things up. With a minute remaining, Biddle recorded a takedown to gain a 4-2 lead. Despite an escape from Blanco with ten seconds to go to pull him within one point, Blanco was unable to overcome the 4-3 deficit.

Lock Haven extended its lead to 15-3 after Aaron McKinney earned a 5-1 victory over Nick Elmer in the 165 match. Stephen Loiseau got the Dragons on the board again with a 5-2 win at 174, which was the result of a two-point take down and a near fall in the first period. With the Dragons now trailing 15-6, Fugiel came out to wrestle at 184 and picked up a huge win-by-fall at 2:58 to bring Drexel within striking distance, 15-12.

Brandon Litten dropped a close 3-2 decision to Lock Haven's Phil Sprenkle, allowing the Bald Eagles to extend their lead to 18-12. In the heavyweight match, Joey Goodhart was able to earn a 3-1 decision in sudden victory but it was not enough to give Drexel the win.

With the loss the Dragons move to 4-6 overall in dual action, while the Bald Eagles improve to 3-7.

Next up for Drexel, the Dragons hit the road to face EIWA opponents Binghamton and Army on January 23 and 25 respectively.

Lock Haven (LHU) 18, Drexel (DU) 15
125: Jake Field (LHU) DEC Tanner Shoap (DU), 9-2
133: No. 16 Kevin Devoy Jr. (DU) DEC Ronnie Perry (LHU), 4-3
141: Bobby Rehm (LHU) DEC David Pearce (DU), 6-3
149: Dan Neff (LHU) DEC No. 20 Matthew Cimato (DU), 4-1
157: Elias Biddle (LHU) DEC Noel Blanco (DU), 4-3
165: Aaron McKinney (LHU) DEC Nick Elmer (DU), 5-1
174: Stephen Loiseau (DU) DEC Tyler Wood (LHU), 5-2
184: Jason Fugiel (DU) WBF Fred Garcia (LHU) @ 2:58
197: Phil Sprenkle (LHU) DEC Brandon Litten (DU), 3-2
285: Joey Goodhart (DU) DEC Brad Emerick (LHU) 3-1 (SV-1)