The Lock Haven University wrestling team is set for a Saturday (Jan. 4) night dual at former Eastern Wrestling (EWL) rival West Virginia.
 
Saturday night's dual is set for 7 p.m., as Lock Haven looks for its second straight win over the Mountaineers. The Bald Eagles last beat WVU in back-to-back season in 1995 and 1996.
 
Lock Haven is looking to snap a four-match losing streak in dual action and the Bald Eagles are coming off a strong showing at last weekend's Cradle Gear Invitational (Lock Haven).
 
Leading the way for LHU is returning national qualifiers Dan Neff (141) and Fred Garcia (184), who are both nationally ranked. Mac Maldarelli is also looking to continue his fantastic start to the season.
 
Neff is riding an 11-match win streak, while Garcia is a perfect 6-0 in dual-action this season. Maldarelli bid for a 10^th straight win came up short in the finals last Sunday at the Gradle Gear Invite, but his 22 wins this season are a team-high.
 
West Virginia was last in action on December 22 when it took fifth at the Tournament of Champions in Reno. Nathan Pennesi (133) led the way for WVU, placing fourth.
 
Match Day Central:
Lock Haven Bald Eagles (2-4) at West Virginia Mountaineers (8-2)
7 p.m. | WVU Coliseum | Morgantown, W.Va.
Watch Live
 
Match Notes & Bald Eagle storylines:
No. 20 Dan Neff (141) enters the dual with an 11-match win streak. He's now 20-4 on the season and coming off a tittle at the LHU Cradle Gear Invitational last Sunday.
For his strong effort at the Cradle Gear Invite, Neff was named the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler.
On Monday, Neff was named the EWL Athlete of the Week.
No. 13 Fred Garcia (184) is a perfect 6-0 in dual matches this year.
Mac Maldarelli's (149) 22 wins are a team-high.
Cody Mason (285) leads the team in pins with eight.
LHU's last dual was on December 19 – the Bald Eagles lost to national-ranked Bloomsburg 19-16.
 
Probable lineups:
*tentative, subject to change
 
Lock Haven (2-4)
125: R-Fr. Kaleb LeMaire (Rehoboth Beach, Del./Caesar Rodney) 13-14
133: R-So. Cody Wheeler (Towanda, Pa./Towanda) 12-7
141: #20 R-So. Dan Neff (Quarryville, Pa./Solanco) 20-4
149: Sr. Mac Maldarelli (Merrick, N.Y./Nassau C.C.) 22-8
157: R-Jr. Elias Biddle (Turbotville, Pa./Warrior Run) 18-11
165: Sr. Jake Kemerer (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) 13-5
174: R-Jr. Dylan Caprio (Mill Hall, Pa./Central Mountain) 13-11
184: #15 R-Jr. Fred Garcia (Donora, Pa./Ringgold) 17-4
197: R-So. Phil Sprenkle (Seven Valleys, Pa./Dallastown) 17-9
285: Sr. Cody Mason (Jersey Shore, Pa./Jersey Shore) 11-9
 
Rankings = AWN (12/24)
 
West Virginia (8-2)
125: Cory Stainbrook R-Fr. 20-9
133: Nathan Pennesi Sr. 14-4
141: Colin Johnston R-Sr. 20-5
149: Mike Morales R-Jr. 12-4
157: Brutus Scheffel Jr. 12-6
165: Ross Renzi So. 18-9
174: Bubba Scheffel So. 23-5
184: Mac Mancuso Sr. 18-6
197: Leo Trindade Fr. 11-10
285: A.J. Vizcarrondo So. 15-12
 
The series:
West Virginia has controlled the series as of late and leads all-time, 20-15. Lock Haven's win last year snapped a seven-match losing streak to WVU, dating back to 2005.
 
Last year's 19-15 win was powered by six Haven wins including Mac Maldarelli's major decision at 149, which sealed the victory. The match started 157 pounds and entering the 149-pound title, the two teams were knotted at 15-15.
 
Current starters Fred Garcia and Phil Sprenkle joined Maldarelli as winners in last year's dual.
 
Up next:
Lock Haven returns to action next weekend when the Bald Eagles travel to the Virginia Duals. The 34^th Virginia Duals will be held at the historic Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Va. On Friday and Saturday, January 10-11. LHU is one of 14 teams set to compete in the National College Division.