WVU Falls to No. 9/10 Lehigh
By Ira Green
WVU Sports Information Office
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (January 15, 2010) – The West Virginia University wrestling team fell to No. 9/10-ranked Lehigh, 39-3, on Friday evening at Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall.
For the second-straight match, freshman Shane Young opened the dual meet with a win at 125 pounds.
Young had an even-matched opponent in Lehigh’s John McDonald. Neither scored in the opening period, but McDonald opened the scoring in the second with an escape after choosing the down position. Young quickly regained the lead, though. On a high single, Young finished the takedown with a leg sweep for the 2-1 advantage. Although the period ended without any further scoring, McDonald was given two cautions, which proved to be costly in the third.
McDonald first earned his second stall warning, giving Young a 3-1 lead. After escaping to take the 4-1 lead, McDonald was handed his third caution of the bout, and Young went ahead 5-1. McDonald grabbed a takedown in the waning seconds, but it was not enough, as Young won 5-3. The victory improves Young’s record to 9-5 this season, 2-2 in dual action.
Sophomore Colin Johnston had another tough challenge on his hands for the second-straight dual. Wrestling 14th-ranked Matt Fisk, Johnston jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the first. He opened the match with a takedown, but Fisk was able to cut loose for the escape. The two spent the second period knotted up, heading into the final period with the same score. Fisk, who chose down in the third, broke free to even the score at two apiece. With seconds winding down, Fisk caught Johnston off balance and was able to bring him to the mat for the takedown. Johnston nearly countered with a reversal with less than five seconds remaining, but could not finish the move, falling 4-2.
The Mountaineers (0-6, 0-0 EWL) were forced to spot the Mountain Hawks a total of 12 points later in the match via two forfeits – one at 141 pounds and the other at 157 pounds.
Lehigh improves to 10-3 on the season with the victory. The Mountain Hawks grabbed two victories by bonus decision.
The Mountaineers return home for the start of a four-match home stand, beginning on Friday, Jan. 22, against Eastern Wrestling League opponent Clarion. Action is set to begin at the WVU Coliseum at 8 p.m.
No. 9/10 Lehigh 39 WVU 3
125: Shane Young (WVU) dec. John McDonald (Lehigh), 5-3
133: #14 Matt Fisk (Lehigh) dec. #19 Colin Johnston (WVU), 4-2
141: #17 Seth Ciasulli (Lehigh) wins by forfeit
149: Joey Napoli (Lehigh) pinned Brandon Loro (WVU), 4:55
157: Sean Bilodeau (Lehigh) wins by forfeit
165: Brandon Hatchett (Lehigh) dec. Donnie Jones (WVU), 7-3
174: Alex Caruso (Lehigh) dec. Matt Weston (WVU), 8-2
184: #15 David Craig (Lehigh) pinned Robert DeSano (WVU), 3:36
197: Joe Kennedy (Lehigh) dec. Kyle Rooney (WVU), 7-2
HWT: #5 Zach Rey (Lehigh) dec. Brandon Williamson (WVU), 8-1
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