Dec. 14, 2007

GALLERY

Erie, Pa. - The No. 13-ranked Mercyhurst wrestling team held a 23-18 lead heading into the heavyweight bout at Friday's War at the Shore, but Gannon's heavyweight Frank McGrath got just what the Golden Knights needed--a fall--giving Gannon a 24-23 lead and possession of the coveted "Oar at the Shore" for the second time in three years.

Gannon won just four matches, but all were by fall. The win improves No. 20 Gannon to 1-0 on the season and drops the Lakers to 1-4. In the seven meetings, Gannon improves to 4-3 against Mercyhurst.

McGrath and Laker Kenny Bluska were tied at 2-2 in the third round, but McGrath put Bluska on his back, and despite a valiant fight by Bluska, McGrath earned the pin at 4:54.

After Laker junior Payne Lint took the 125-bout by a 17-2 technical fall, the Golden Knights strung together a pair of pins at 133 and 141 before Mercyhurst's Brian Pogel halted the momentum with a 3-0 decision over Zack McEnroe at 149.

The Golden Knights, however, received a big upset when Brandon Monin pinned sixth-ranked Andy Lamancusa in 5:54 to build Gannon's lead to 18-8. But from there, Mercyhurst's 165-pound senior Hudson Harrison pinned Tony Petrella in 3:47, Josh Shields registered a 7-4 decision at 174, and Brian Wolff won a heated 11-4 decision over Pino Scavella at 184 to give Mercyhurst its first lead at 20-18.

Junior Trevor Gallo pushed the Laker lead to 23-18 with one match to go a 9-5 win over Jacob Tazzi.

Mercyhurst returns to action on Dec. 20 at Greensburg, Pa., against Seton Hill and Mercyhurst North East.

Complete Results
125 - Payne Lint (MC) def. Scott Barron (GU), 17-2 Tech Fall, 5:06 0-5, MC
133- Corey Bowers (GU) def. Lance Pitcel (MC), Fall 0:56, 6-5, GU
141 - Kevin McElhaney (GU) def. Braxdon Scaletta (MC), Fall 4:17, 12-5, GU
149 - Brian Pogel (MC) def. Zack McEnroe (GU), 3-0, 12-8, GU
157 - Brandon Monin (GU) def. Andy Lamancusa (MC), Fall 5:54, 18-8, GU
165 - Hudson Harrison (MC) def. Tony Petrella (GU), Fall 3:47, 18-14, GU
174 - Josh Shields (MC) def. A.J. Sayles (GU), 7-4, 18-17, GU
184 - Brian Wolff (MC) def. Pino Scavella (GU), 11-4, 18-20, MC
197 - Trevor Gallo (MC) def. Jacob Tazzi (GU), 9-5, 18-23, MC
HWT - Frank McGrath (GU) def. Kenny Bluska (MC), Fall 4:54, 24-23, GU