Jan. 18, 2008
(CLARION, Pa.): Edinboro, ranked 14th in the latest NCAA D-I team rankings, defeated Clarion by a final score of 34-7 in the EWL (Eastern Wrestling League) opener for both teams.
Held at Clarion's Waldo S. Tippin Gym and in front of about 1,500 fans, the final score was not indicative of the dual meet battled on Friday night.
The Fighting Scots opened the dual with a 10-1 major decision by Eric Morrill over Andrew Smith at 125 (Smith subbing for Jay Ivanco who is ill), and Ricky Deubel posting a pin over Tony Lascari at 133 at 4:00 for a 10-0 Edinboro lead.
The Golden Eagles bounced back for two straight wins, led by co-captains Sal Lascari (Jr. Gray) at 141 and Hadley Harrison (So. MeKean) at 149.
Lascari scored a 17-8 major decision win over Ryan Morgan at 141. Lascari posted four, first period takedowns, a reversal and a takedown in the second, and two reversals in the third to post his win.
Harrison then posted a 3-1 win over Darryl Cocozzo at 149. Harrison had a second period escape and Cocozzo had an escape to open the third period to tie the score 1-1. With about 15-seconds left in the match, Harrison used a front headlock, then an ankle pick to gain an advantage and posted a takedown with only 7-seconds remaining to win the match, bring the Golden Eagles to within 10-7.
Edinboro's defending national champion Gregor Gillespie then turned the momentum back in the Scots favor by posting an 11-2 win over freshman Travis Uncapher (Grapeville). Gillespie's first period takedown and two-point nearfall had him in front 4-0 in the first. A three-point nearfall in the second and a reversal in the third gave him the 11-2 win.
Edinboro's Jarrod King won by forfeit at 165, then Clarion's Mario Morelli (So. DuBois) and Edinboro's #15 rated Phil Moricone wrestled a tough match at 174. Moricone's reversal in the third period gave him a 2-1 victory.
Clarion's Scott Joseph made a strong bid to upset #17 rated Chris Honeycutt before losing 13-8. Joseph used a lateral drop to put Honeycutt to his back at the end of the first period, nearly pinned the Edinboro freshman and led 5-1. Honeycutt narrowed the gap to 7-5 at the end of the second period, then used two near falls and a takedown in the third to rally for a 13-8 win.
Edinboro's Pat Bradshaw nipped Clarion's Jamie Luckett 4-2 at 197, and Scot heavyweight Joe Fendone pinned Roman Husam at 1:58 to close out the scoring.
CLARION NOTES: Sal Lascari is now 12-5 this season, while Harrison has upped his record to 13-5 ... Clarion will wrestle at West Virginia next Thursday at 7:30pm, and return to Tippin Gym to host Duquesne and Wagner on Friday, January 25th at 5:30pm.
125- Eric Morrill (E) maj. dec. Andrew Smith (CL) 10-1
133- Ricky Deubel (E) pinned Tony Lascari (CL) 4:00
141- Sal Lascari (CL) maj. dec. Ryan Morgan (E) 17-8
149- Hadley Harrison (CL) dec. Daryl Cocozzo (E) 3-1
157- Gregor Gillespie* (E) maj. dec. Travis Uncapher (CL) 11-2*
165- Jarrod King forfeit
174- Phil Moricone (E) dec. Mario Morelli (CL) 3-1
184- Chris Honeycutt (E) dec. Scott Joseph (CL) 13-8
197- Pat Bradshaw (E) dec. Jamie Luckett (CL) 4-2
285- Joe Fendone (E) pinned Roman Husam (CL) 1:58
Edinboro - * - 1 team point deducted for unsportsmanlike conduct
Final Score: Edinboro 34 Clarion 7
Clarion: 6-8; 0-1 EWL
Edinboro: 5-2; 1-0 EWL
