Jan. 5, 2008

Buffalo, N.Y. - On Saturday at the Buffalo Duals, the Mercyhurst wrestling team held a 17-16 lead over Cleveland State heading into the heavyweight bout, but a 6-4 decision in favor of Cleveland State's Eric Schwartz sent the Lakers to the their first of two losses on the afternoon.

After falling 17-16 to Buffalo, the Lakers dropped a hard-fought 24-6 contest to Division I Buffalo. Mercyhurst's record fell to 2-6 with the two defeats, but five of those losses have come at the hands of Division I schools.

Despite the 0-2 team record, 174-pound red-shirt freshman Josh Shields continued to roll, winning both of his matches on the day to extend his winning streak to seven and improve his record to 15-6 on the season.

Against Cleveland State, it took Shields just 1:10 to pin J.T. Miller. He followed that up with a 6-2 win over Mike Ragusa of Buffalo.

Shields' victory over Miller jumpstarted a late Laker charge against Cleveland State that saw Bryan Wolff earn a 22-4 technical fall over Derek Cummins at 184. Junior Trevor Gallo followed with an 11-4 win over Alex Hughes at 197, giving the Lakers a one-point edge heading into the final matchup. Payne Lint, wrestling at 125, notched a 7-3 win over Ryan Riggs, as well.

Along with Shields, senior 165-pounder Hudson Harrison picked up a 7-2 decision over Scott Rendos of Buffalo. Harrison's 5-2 loss to Cleveland State's Marcus Effner snapped an impressive nine-match winning streak. His record now stands at 15-4 on the season.

The Lakers return to action on Jan. 12 in Cedar Falls, Iowa at the NWCA National Duals.

COMPLETE RESULTS
Cleveland State 19, Mercyhurst 17

125: Payne Lint (Mercy) dec. Ryan Riggs (CSU), 7-3
133: Josh Palivoda (CSU) maj dec. Lance Pitcel (Mercy), 12-4
141: Mike Hurley (CSU) dec. Braxdon Scaletta (Mercy), 10-3
149: Ryan Hurley (CSU) dec. Brian Pogel (Mercy), 6-4
157: Rob Michaels (CSU) dec. Andy Lamancusa (Mercy), 13-6
165: Marcus Effner (CSU) dec. Hudson Harrison (Mercy), 5-2
174: Josh Shields (Mercy) pinned JT Miller (CSU) at 1:10
184: Bryan Wolff (Mercy) tech fall Derek Cummins (CSU), 22-4
197: Trevor Gallo (Mercy) dec. Alek Hughes (CSU), 11-4
285: Eric Schwartz (CSU) dec. Nathan Sharp (Mercy), 6-4

Buffalo 24, Mercyhurst 6

125: Dylan Dabolt (UB) dec. Payne Lint (Mercy), 3-0
133: Joe Wilson (UB) dec. Lance Pitcel (Mercy), 9-4
141: Andrew Stella (UB) dec. Braxdon Scaletta (Mercy), 3-0
149: Ryan Needle (UB) dec. Brian Pogel (Mercy), 11-9 tb
157: John Cummings (UB) dec. Andy Lamancusa (Mercy), 3-2
165: Hudson Harrison (Mercy) dec. Scott Rendos (UB), 7-2
174: Josh Shields (Mercy) dec. Mike Ragusa (UB), 6-2
184: Mickey Moran (UB) dec Bryan Wolff (Mercy), 6-4
197: Jimmy Hamel (UB) dec. Trevor Gallo (Mercy), 3-1
285: Jeff Parker (UB) dec. Nathan Sharp (Mercy), 4-1