Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst wrestling grappled within their friendly confines for the first time in close to three month Friday night, hosting the Golden Bears. The two teams battled back-and-forth with the Lakers using a late surge to make it a close match. Their efforts in the final few bouts were not quite enough, though, as they ended falling 19-18.

How it Happened

Kutztown came out of the gates hot as they were able to grab a major decision in the opening bout at 125. The Laker's Billy Smith started off strong with a 3-2 lead at the end of the first period, but the Golden Bears battled back to take a 12-3 win to make it 4-0. The 133 matchup ended up being a close one with the score holding at 0-0 at the end of the first. Kutztown's Javier DeLeon ended up getting a one-point escape in the second and looked to hold not that lead. A two-point reversal early in the third for Nate Knowlton helped him work his way to an overtime period before grabbing a three-point takedown in the overtime period for the win, making it 4-3 in favor of the Golden Bears. 

Jake Niffenegger helped the Lakers get back on the board at 141 with a major decision win to make it 7-4, but that was the final win the Lakers would have for some time. Mercyhurst battle hard in each of their next three bouts, but were kept off the board by their counterpart. Kutztown ended up getting a major decision to help them take the lead, 8-7, at 149. They then followed with back-to-back wins via a decision to give the Golden Bears a 14-7 advantage.

Chase Stein helped get the Lakers back on the board with a decision win at 174. It was a tough matchup for the sophomore, but a late surge in the bout helped him get his team back within striking distance as it was a 14-10 score going into the 184 contest. Kutztown managed to extend their lead with a big win at 184. It was a tech fall win for the Golden Bears to make it a 19-10 score as they looked to put the the few final nails in the coffin on the road.

Mercyhurst got a big win at 197 to help keep them in it as Trever Begin collected a tech fall victory. The graduate student came out of the gates swinging and never backed down, earning the big win to make it 19-15 going into the heavyweight matchup. Christian Taylor was last up for Mercyhurst with him getting the win. The senior came out hot and grabbed an early lead, hoping to get a pinfall. Taylor's opponent looked to just hold on to his team's advantage and was able to stave off his counterpart's efforts in the end to make it a one-point finish.

Next Event

The Lakers do not have to wait around all too long to get back out on the mats as they compete again tomorrow morning against East Stroudsburg at Gannon University's Recreation and Wellness Center at 11:00 a.m.