No. 11 Lehigh overpowers Pittsburgh, 28-9
Posted: January 13, 2006
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh won seven of ten bouts, scoring bonus points in four, as the eleventh-ranked Mountain Hawks topped Pittsburgh 28-9 Friday night in front of nearly 1,800 fans at Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. After the teams split the first six matches, Lehigh reeled off victories in the final four weights to seal the win. The Mountain Hawks improve to 7-4-1 on the season, while the Panthers fall to 2-4.
Things got started at 125 and Matt Fisk got Lehigh off to a fast start, scoring an early takedown and two-point near fall to open a 4-0 lead. He followed with a three-point near fall and then cruised to a 17-0 tech fall over Brad Gentzle.
“Fisk was getting a little tired of not winning,” said head coach Greg Strobel. “He went out and wrestled aggressively and put some points on the board and got us off to a nice start.”
Mike Ciotti defeated John Stout 7-1 at 133 to make it 5-3 after two bouts, setting up the night’s marquee match-up at 141. For the second time in as many weeks third-ranked Cory Cooperman got the best of ninth-ranked Ron Tarquinio, this time by a 5-3 score. Cooperman scored an early takedown and nearly got back points with a cradle near the edge of the mat, then was able to reverse Tarquinio early in the third period to nab another victory Tarquinio.
“That match at 141 was a big bout for Pittsburgh,” Strobel said. “Cooperman went out and instead of escaping was able to land a reversal, and our other seniors also went out and did a nice job scoring bonus points for us.”
Seniors Derek Zinck and Travis Frick both won by major decision for Lehigh, Zinck 15-6 over Sean Richmond and Frick besting Nick Padezan by an 11-3 score.
Frick’s major started a string of four victories to close the night for the Brown and White. David Helfrich and Matt Cassidy won a couple close decisions, then junior Paul Weibel sent the home crowd home happy, with a third period throw that put Lou Thomas on his back before Weibel secured the fall at the 6:27 mark.
The Mountain Hawks return to the mat on Saturday when they welcome Navy to Leeman-Turner Arena. The match gets underway at 1:00.
|
Weight |
Match-up |
Result |
|
Score |
|
125 |
Matt Fisk (LU) |
TF5 |
Brad Gentzle (PITT) |
17-0, 6:12 |
|
133 |
Mike Ciotti (PITT) |
Dec. |
John Stout (LU) |
7-1 |
|
141 |
Cory Cooperman (LU) |
Dec. |
Ron Tarquinio (PITT) |
5-3 |
|
149 |
Joey Ecklof (PITT) |
Dec. |
Trevor Chinn (LU) |
8-3 |
|
157 |
Derek Zinck (LU) |
Maj. dec. |
Sean Richmond (PITT) |
15-6 |
|
165 |
Justin Nestor (PITT) |
Dec. |
Dave Nakasone (LU) |
6-0 |
|
174 |
Travis Frick (LU) |
Maj. dec. |
Nick Padezan (PITT) |
11-3 |
|
184 |
David Helfrich (LU) |
Dec. |
Kyle Deliere (PITT) |
5-2 |
|
197 |
Matt Cassidy (LU) |
Dec. |
Mike Heist (PITT) |
2-1 |
|
285 |
Paul Weibel (LU) |
WBF |
Lou Thomas (PITT) |
6:27 |
Attendance – 1,794
Referee – Jeff Cook
Photos © 2006, Lehigh Athletics/Jeff Nolan