WVU Defeats Pitt

PITTSBURGH – Sixth-ranked West Virginia (6-3, 5-0) continued its EWL dominance with a convincing 29-8 win over Pitt (8-4, 4-2) Friday night at the Fitzgerald Field House. The Mountaineer individuals are 40-10 in EWL contests this year and have outscored conference opponents by a whopping 110 points in five duals.

WVU jumped all over the Panthers early and often, winning the first five bouts and eight of the 10 on the night.

The match began at 165 where eighth-ranked Tom McMath scored a takedown in the first and two in the third for a hard-fought win over Francis Iorfido. McMath also earned the riding point for an 8-3 victory.

Top-ranked Greg Jones got all he could handle from No. 13 Carl Fronhofer in the 174 bout. After a scoreless first period, Fronhofer escaped to start the second. Jones slammed Fronhofer to the mat for a takedown to go up 2-1, but Fronhofer escaped to knot the score 2-2 after the second period.

Jones began the third with an escape before things got interesting. Fronhofer had his hands locked behind Jones' back several times but Jones managed to get to the edge of the mat but not before being called for stalling twice to give Fronhofer a penalty point, tying the score at 3-3. Jones would prevail, though, getting a leg and taking Fronhofer down with just two seconds remaining in the match to win 5-3. Jones is now a perfect 22-0 on the season.

At 184, No. 13 Ryan Wilman was superior on top to record the 9-0 victory over Mike Croyle. He racked up over five minutes of riding time. Wilman scored a takedown at 1:55 in the first and rode Croyle out for the remainder of the period. Croyle started down in the second and Wilman again remained on top for the entire period and recorded three near-fall points in the process. Wilman reversed Croy to close out the scoring.

West Virginia added to its lead when Adrian Thompson defeated Gregg Osbeck by major decision, 14-4. Thompson racked up three takedowns in the first and third periods and received two penalty points from stalling calls on Osbeck in his win.

Pitt's Bob Kail scored the first takedown against Brent Miller at heavyweight but Miller rallied for the 7-3 win on takedowns in the second and third.

Pitt got on the board for the first time as No. 13 Jordan Sianni (125) defeated Greg White by technical fall, 15-0. White was wrestling in place of Seth Lisa who was ill.

At 133, No. 14 Brandon Lauer got WVU back into its winning ways by recording his eighth pin of the season at 4:34 in the match. Lauer, leading 2-1 in the second period, turned Pitt's Mike May from the top position to record the fall.

Shane Cunanan, ranked No. 13 in the nation at 141, scored the only offensive points in his match with Ron Tarquinio to win 7-3. Cunanan scored a takedown in the first and second, a reversal in the third, and finished with the riding point.

Pitt's Justin Gionvinco (149) scored the only upset of the night defeating No. 6 Billy Smith, 4-3. Giovinco started the second period down and promptly scored a reversal. After a Smith escape, Giovinco recorded a takedown which ended up being the difference in the match.

WVU's Matt Lebe (157) ended the Mountaineer night with a 5-2 decision over Justin Nestor. Lebe converted on two double-leg takedowns, one in the first and one in the third.

The Mountaineers, a perfect 12-0 in EWL duals over the last two seasons, will be back in action tomorrow, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. against non-conference foe Ohio at the WVU Coliseum. Saturday's match will be broadcasted live on the Internet right here at MSNsportsNET.com


West Virginia 29, Pitt 8
165 - #8 Tom McMath (WV) d. Francis Iorfido (UP), 8-3
174 - #1 Greg Jones (WV) d. #13 Carl Fronhofer (UP), 5-3
184 - #13 Ryan Wilman (WV) md. Mike Croyle (UP), 9-0
197 - Adrian Thompson (WV) md. Gregg Osbeck (UP), 14-4
HWT - #13 Brent Miller (WV) d. Bob Kail (UP), 7-3
125 - #13 Jordan Sianni (UP) tf. Greg White (WV), 15-0 (5:24)
133 - #14 Brandon Lauer (WV) fall Mike May (UP), 4:34
141 - #13 Shane Cunanan (WV) d. Ronald Tarquinio (UP), 7-3
149 - #18 Justin Giovinco (UP) d. #6 Billy Smith (WV), 4-3
157 - Matt Lebe (WV) d. Justin Nestor (UP), 5-2




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