ERIE, Pa.  --  Ashland jumped out to a quick 16-0 lead after winning the first four weights, but Mercyhurst ran the table to complete the come-from-behind victory 22-16 on Senior Night.

Fittingly, senior Andy Lamancusa ignited the Lakers offense at 157 lbs. with a 5-3 decision over Mike Bradberry before the nation's top-ranked 165-pounder Josh Shields narrowly escaped with a 9-4 sudden victory over Tommie Graszl.

Pat Leahy kept the momentum rolling with a 10-5 decision over Tom Kerrigan before Eric Lundgren provided a huge dagger with his last minute pin of Justin Cheesman.  Chris Nocchi added another bonus point win with his 9-1 major decision over Jake Ewing and heavyweight# Fred Hale# contributed a tough 4-2 decision for the final score.

Lamancusa (21-7) used a takedown in the first two periods then held on for a final scoreless third period before adding a point for riding time.

Shields (30-3) battled a lethargic opponent for most of the match and found himself trailing 4-3 in the third before being award a point thanks to Graszl's lethargic wrestling.  After a scorless extra minute, Shields blanked Graszl before adding three near fall points to close out.

Leahy (7-17) came alive in the second period of his match with a takedown and three nearfall points before adding another takedown in the third.

Lundgren's (9-15) match featured a bevy of points by both parties before the redshirt freshman caught Cheesman in front of the Mercyhurst bench.

Nocchi 9-16) used a solid opening and closing period to build a hefty lead and almost had the shutout, holding Ewing scorless until midway through the third.

Hale (15-11) scored early with a takedown but found himself tied 2-2 entering the third after escape points by Southwick.  However, an escape by Hale and a point for riding time provided the final score.

Next up for Mercyhurst is the NCAA Super Region 1 Championships, hosted by Pitt-Johnstown on Feb. 26-27.  The top four finishers in each weight class advance to the NCAA National Championships in Omaha.


at Mercyhurst 22, Ashland 16
125: Brandon Davis (AU) win by forfeit (6-0 AU)
133: Jacob Creed (AU) dec. David Bolger (MC) 4-0 (9-0 AU)
141: Dan Genetin (AU) dec. Tony D'Urso (MC) 7-2 (12-0 AU)
149: T.J. Rigel (AU) maj. dec. Robert Blotzer (MC) 13-4 (16-0 AU)
157: Andy Lamancusa (MC) dec. Tony Bradberry (AU) 5-3 (16-3 AU)
165: Josh Shields (MC) dec. Tommie Graszl (AU) 9-4 sv (16-6 AU)
174: Pat Leahy (MC) dec. Tom Kerrigan (AU) 10-5 (16-9 AU)
184: Eric Lundgren (MC) fall over Justin Cheesman (AU) 6:32 (16-15 AU)
197: Chris Nocchi (MC) maj. dec. Jake Ewing (AU) 9-1 (19-16 MC)
285: Fred Hale (MC) dec. Jacob Southwick (AU) 4-2 (22-16 MC)