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Falcons Split Matches With #13 Lycoming, Fall In Team Scoring
Posted: 1/18/2008
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Senior Josh Cragg gave Messiah its first team points, but Lycoming finished the match with a nine to nothing run.

Williamsport, PA — Looking to upend 13th-ranked Lycoming College for the first time in the 37-year history of the Messiah College wrestling program, the 23rd-ranked Falcons came up just short Friday night, dropping a 17-26 decision to the host Warriors.

Messiah (8-8) appeared to be in tremendous shape with just two matches to go, leading by a 17-15 team score following a major decision win from freshman David Jones at the 174 card.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, Lycoming was able to capture an impressive 11 points over the final two bouts, coming via a technical fall at the 197 weight and a win by fall in the heavyweight card.

“This was a good match for us,” said Messiah head coach Bryan Brunk. “We showed a lot of fight, a lot of heart. We were as close as we could come, and Lycoming was just able to cash in on more bonus points than we were. We needed to win one of the final two matches, and we just couldn’t get it done.”

Both Messiah and Lycoming captured five bouts on the evening, with the host Warriors striking first. Freshman Bryce Stever was pinned at the 2:18 mark in the 125 match, giving Lycoming an early 6-0 lead.

The hosts increased the spread to a 12-3 difference following the 149 card, only for Brunk’s squad to take four of the next five matches to claim a 17-15 lead with just two matches remaining. Junior Craig Gin and freshman David Jones took major decisions at 149 and 174, while freshman Mike Bressler and junior Matt McHugh each collected decisions at the 157 and 184 weights, respectively.

The Warriors would rattle off the event’s final 11 points via a technical fall at 197 and a win by fall in the heavyweight bout, ending Messiah’s hopes of pulling off the road upset.

“We just have to keep working to have a little more balance in our lineup,” Brunk said.

The Falcons will take to the road again on Wednesday, when the team travels to Delaware Valley College. Match time is set for 7 p.m.

Results:

#13 Lycoming College 26 over #23 Messiah College 17

125 – Noel Faison (L) fall Bryce Stever (M) (2:18)                     
133 – Josh Cragg (M) dec Andrew Lewis (L) 4-2                     
141 – Tom Barger (L) fall Alex Dehart (M) (4:40)                       
149 – Craig Gin (M) maj dec Mike Maurer (L) 10-1                            
157 – Mike Bressler (M) dec Zach Frederick (L) 16-11                   
165 – Chris Dahlheimer (L) dec Trent Zempel (M) 6-3                 
174 – David Jones (M) maj dec Nick Lansberry (L) 11-2                 
184 – Matt McHugh (M) dec Bryan Kopesky (L) 6-0                   
197 – Matt Miller (L) tech fall Nathan Deisem (M) 15-0 (5:26)                    
285 – Troy Hansen (L) fall Dando Speers (M) (2:26)