LOCK HAVEN, Pa.  – The Lock Haven University wrestling team picked up five wins tonight and senior Harry Turner (Howell, N.J./Howell) won the final home match of his career, but it wasn't enough as the Bald Eagles were edged by Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) rival Clarion, 18-16 in a thrilling conference battle.

Lock Haven (5-5, 1-3 EWL) and Clarion (3-6, 1-2 EWL) each won five bouts on the night, but a tech fall at 165 and a major decision at 174 proved to be the difference for the Golden Eagles in the end.

Turner, who was honored pre-match as the only senior on this year's team closed out the night with a hard-fought win at 285.

Joining Turner as Bald Eagle winners on the night was Cody Wheeler (Towanda, Pa./Towanda), No. 22 Dan Neff (Quarryville, Pa./Solanco), Mac Maldarelli (Merrick, N.Y./Nassau C.C.) and No. 29 Fred Garcia (Donora, Pa./Ringgold).

Lock Haven found itself in an early 3-0 hole, but Wheeler quickly put The Haven on the board with a 5-3 win at 133. Wheeler, who was returning to the lineup trailed, 2-1 after one period. Wheeler started the second period down and scored a quick escape, before taking down Clarion's Joe Waltko with a minute to go in the second period. Wheeler led 4-2 after two periods and he nearly rode out the third on the way to the win.

At 141, Neff met a tough Sam Sherlock of Clarion and Sherlock led 2-1 after one period. Neff started the second period down and scored a quick escape to the knot the score at, 2-2, but Sherlock, countered and again took Neff down. With 40 seconds to go in the second, Neff scored on a quick escape-takedown move and he led 5-4 after two. Neff went to work in the third and absolutely dominated Sherlock on top. The 2:09 of riding time stretched Neff's win to a 6-4 decision.

Maldarelli made it three straight and stretched the LHU lead to 9-3 after 6-3 decision over Devin Cook at 149. Maldarelli led 4-2 after two and scored on a late takedown to earn the 6-3 win.

The Golden Eagles matched Lock Haven's three straight wins with three straight of their own. Clarion won at 157, 165 and 174. A huge key in the final outcome for CU would be its tech fall and major at 165 and 174, respectively.

Garcia put on a clinic for Lock Haven at 184. He picked up 10 of Lock Haven's 16 takedowns on the night on the way to a lopsided, 22-9 win over Steven Cressley. Garcia led 10-4 after one and 17-6 after two periods.

At 197, Clarion's Justin Oretega edged Phil Sprenkle (Seven Valleys, Pa./Dallastown), 2-1 on a riding time point, which put Clarion up 18-13.

Despite the loss, Turner brought the home fans to their feet with a workmanlike 4-2 win. Lock Haven's lone senior scored a late third-period takedown to secure the win in the final home bout of his remarkable Bald Eagle career.

Lock Haven travels to local-rival Bucknell for a non-conference match on Friday, February 8 at 7 p.m.

Individual Bout-by-Bout Results:
125: Tyler Fraley (Clarion) dec. Bobby Rehm (Lock Haven) 11-6
133: Cody Wheeler (Lock Haven) dec. Joe Waltko (Clarion) 5-3
141: #22 Dan Neff (Lock Haven) dec. Sam Sherlock (Clarion) 6-4
149: Mac Maldarelli (Lock Haven) dec. Devin Cook (Clarion) 6-3
157: Tyler Bedelyon (Clarion) dec. Aaron Fry (Lock Haven) 7-2
165: James Fleming (Clarion) tech fall Aaron McKinney (Lock Haven) 15-0 (7:00)
174: Ryan Darch (Clarion) major dec. Travis Moyer (Lock Haven) 10-2
184: #29 Fred Garcia (Lock Haven) major dec. Steven Cressley (Lock Haven) 22-9
197: Justin Ortega (Clarion) dec. Phil Sprenkle (Lock Haven) 2-1
285: Harry Turner (Lock Haven) dec. Phil Catrucco (Clarion) 4-2

FINAL: Clarion 18 – Lock Haven 16
Clarion (3-6, 1-2 EWL)
Lock Haven (5-5, 1-3 EWL)

Team Score-by-Bout:
125: Clarion 3-0, 133: TIE 3-3, 141: Lock Haven 6-3, 149: Lock Haven 9-3, 157: Lock Haven 9-6, 165: Clarion 11-9, 174: Clarion 15-9, 184: Clarion 15-13, 197: Clarion 18-13, 285: Clarion 18-16 FINAL.

Match Notes:
- Takedowns were 16-16; Fred Garcia had 10 of LHU's 16 at 184.
- LHU is now 28-21-2 all-time vs. Clarion
- LHU is ranked No. 55 in the Takedown Wrestling Media Dual Impact Index, Clarion is No. 59.
- Clarion's James Fleming is ranked No. 4 at 157, he moved up to 165 tonight.
- Clarion beat Lock Haven, 19-18 last year on tiebreaker criteria.
- LHU is coming off a, 33-6 loss to No. 17 Pittsburgh at home last Saturday (1/26/13).
- Fred Garcia (184) had his nine-match win streak snapped in the loss to Pitt.
- Bobby Rehm (125) had a five-match win streak heading into tonight.
- Dan Neff (141) made his debut this week in the InterMat and Amateur Wrestling News rankings. He is ranked No. 19 in both polls.
- Neff and Garcia were both ranked in this week's Gregg Henry's/WrestlingReport DI rankings, Neff at 22 and Garcia at 29.
- Neff, Garcia, along with Bobby Rehm (125) and Harry Turner (285) were all ranked in the first edition of the NCAA Coaches' Panel Rankings, which came out last week. (#32 Rehm, #25 Neff, #29 Garcia & #32 Turner.
- Harry Turner is the lone senior for Lock Haven, he was honored pre-match. He is 20-10 this year and 88-64 for his career.
- LHU head coach Robbie Waller is 17-37 (active) in his four seasons.
- LHU is 2-3 at home this year.
- LHU is 14-26 in EWL duals this year.
- Bobby Rehm is 3-1 in EWL action.