LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Behind bonus-point wins in three bouts and six overall victories, the Lock Haven University men's wrestling team (10-5, 6-1 MAC) rolled past Edinboro University (2-9, 1-6 MAC) by a 24-16 tally in a Mid-American Conference (MAC) dual on Sunday afternoon at Edinboro.
With the win, Lock Haven moved its winning streak to seven as the focus of the season now turns to post-season action.
Anthony Noto (Lima, N.Y./Honeoye Falls-Lima (NC State)) wrapped up the dual-meet season with another victory. Noto, the 22nd-ranked wrestler in the nation, picked up a quick takedown to take the early lead and added two more takedowns later in the period to own a 6-2 advantage after three minutes of action. The Lima, N.Y. native ran an armbar at the 4:26 mark of the match and earned the pin to push LHU out to a 6-0 match lead. Noto's win sends him into the post-season on a 23-match winning streak.
In the matchup at 133 pounds, Gable Strickland (Benton, Pa./Benton)Â picked up a 7-2 victory to run the LHU lead to 9-0.
Edinboro gained the match lead at a 10-9 tally with victories at 141 and 149 pounds before the Bald Eagles got back on track at 157 pounds. No. 31 Ben Barton (Louisville, Ky./Trinity (Campbell))Â used four first-period takedowns en route to an 11-takedown effort to post a 24-9 victory via tech fall. With the win, Barton runs his dual-meet record to 12-3 and 7-0 in MAC competition and handed the match lead back to the Crimson and White at a 14-10 score.
The Bald Eagles added to the match lead with a 18-4 major decision victory from 27th-ranked Ashton Eyler (Millersburg, Ohio/Claymont High (Iowa Central CC)) at 165 pounds. Eyler gained a 3-2 lead with a late-period takedown in the first frame before a dominating performance in the third period allowed the Millersburg, Ohio native to run away with the bout and extend the match lead to 18-10. Eyler's victory runs his season record to 29-8 and 13-3 in dual meet action.
Tyler Stoltzfus (Mifflinburg, Pa./Saint Joseph's Academy) kept things rolling for the Bald Eagles with a convincing 7-0 victory at 174 pounds. Stoltzfus took a lead late in the first period via a penalty point before adding a second-period takedown to own a 3-0 lead heading to the final two minutes. In the third period, Stoltzfus added an escape, takedown and another penalty point to put the finishing touches on his 21st win of the season. Lock Haven led 21-10 with three bouts left to contest.
Edinboro drew to within five points on the scoreboard behind wins at 184 and 197 pounds, but the Bald Eagles secured the match win with a victory at 285 pounds. Isaac Reid (Saltsbug, Pa./Kiski) rolled to an 8-1 win to run his season record to 17-1, wrapping up a 24-16 Lock Haven victory.
Lock Haven 24 Edinboro 16
125: Anthony Noto (LHU) fall Chris Merlo (EU) 4:26, 6-0
133: Gable Strickland (LHU) dec. Cameron Soda (EU) 7-2, 9-0
141: Gabe Willochell (EU) maj. dec. Tyler Dilley (LHU) 9-1, 9-4
149: Ryan Burgos (EU) fall DaShawn Farber 5:50, 9-10
157: Ben Barton (LHU) tech fall PJ Gohn (EU) 24-9 (7:00), 14-10
165: Ashton Eyler (LHU) maj. dec. Dylan Kohn (EU), 18-4, 18-10
174: Tyler Stoltzfus (LHU) dec. Joey Arnold (EU), 7-0, 21-10
184: Ethan Ducca (EU) dec. Colin Fegley (LHU), 3-2, 21-13
197: Cody Mulligan (EU) dec. Parker McClellan (LHU) 6-3, 21-16
285: Isaac Reid (LHU) dec. Max Millin (EU) 8-1, 24-16
The Road Ahead:
Lock Haven will be back in action on Friday, March 4 when it travels to Athens, Ohio for the 2022 MAC Championships. The two-day event concludes on Saturday, March 5 with the championship rounds.
