LHU Men’s Wrestling wins eighth straight after downing MAC foe George Mason
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – Behind six bout victories, including three in bonus points, the Lock Haven men’s wrestling team soared past George Mason, 27-14, in a Mid-American Conference (MAC) match in Thomas Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon.
Lock Haven, who wrapped up its week a perfect 3-0 with victories over Bucknell, Northern Illinois and George Mason, won its eighth straight match to improve to 10-3 on the season and 3-0 in the MAC.
George Mason was ranked No. 1 in the initial MAC preseason poll, but Lock Haven has since soared to the top of the standings after its impressive start to the season.
With Sunday’s result, George Mason falls to 5-6 on the season and 2-3 in the MAC.
George Mason opened the match with consecutive victories at 125 and 133 by decision and tech fall (17-2, 4:33). Lock Haven’s Curtis Nelson was edged 11-10 at 125 after a late take down at the buzzer was ruled unsuccessful.
However, just like he did on Friday, No. 20 Wyatt Henson brought Thomas Fieldhouse to its feet with a bounce-back tech fall over Tate Hisey to put LH on the board.
No. 23 Lucas Kapusta (149) made it two bonus victories in a row after he pinned Jackson Palzet in 3:15, giving Lock Haven its first lead at 11-8.
George Mason responded with a victory at 157, despite a valiant effort from Nick Stampoulos, who took No. 17 DJ McKee to overtime, but a McKee takedown in sudden death sealed an 8-5 decision.
In similar fashion, Lock Haven countered with a sudden victory of its own, thanks to a 6-3 decision by Ousmane Duncanson over Drew Dickenson at 165. Entering the free period tied 3-3, Duncanson secured a take down to put LH back ahead, 14-11.
The back-and-forth match continued as George Mason picked up a 4-1 decision at 174, however, Sam Gautreau (184) again gave the Bald Eagles the lead at 19-14 with a tech fall (21-6, 2:41) over Thomas Stofka.
Tucker Hogan (197) put Lock Haven up 22-14 and sealed the Bald Eagle victory after he defeated Jack Kelly via a 10-4 decision.
At heavyweight, Kade Sottolano put the nail in the coffin with a 21-5 (4:10) tech fall over Herbert Billips, solidifying a 27-14 victory for The Haven.
Prior to the start of the match, the Lock Haven athletic department honored senior Gable Strickland and head coach Scott Moore, after the duo went over 100 career coaching and wrestling victories at Lock Haven on Jan. 16.
Next up for The Haven:
The Bald Eagles are in the heart of their MAC schedule and will travel to Bloomsburg on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. for a conference dual.
Bout-by-Bout Results / Team Score by Bout
Final: Lock Haven 27 – George Mason 14
125: Benjamin Monn (George Mason) dec. Curtis Nelson (Lock Haven) 11-10 // George Mason leads 3-0
133: Anthony Lucchiani (George Mason) tech fall Gable Strickland (Lock Haven) in 4:33 17-2 // George Mason leads 8-0
141: Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven) tech fall Tate Hisey (George Mason) in 3:15 20-3 // George Mason leads 8-5
149: Lucas Kapusta (Lock Haven) won by fall in 2:31 // Lock Haven leads 11-8
157: DJ McGee (George Mason) dec. Nick Stampoulos (Lock Haven) 8-5 // Tied 11-11
165: Ousmane Duncanson (Lock Haven) dec. Drew Dickson (George Mason) 6-3 // Lock Haven leads 14-11
174: Logan Messer (George Mason) dec. Avery Bassett (Lock Haven) 4-1 // Tied 14-14
184: Sam Gautreau (Lock Haven) tech fall Thomas Stofka (George Mason) in 2:41 21-6 // Lock Haven leads 19-14
197: Tucker Hogan (Lock Haven) dec. Jack Kelly (George Mason) 10-4 // Lock Haven leads 22-14
285: Kade Sottolano (Lock Haven) tech fall Herbert Billups (George Mason) in 4:10 21-5 // Lock Haven leads 27-14
Attendance: 607
