CLARION NEARLY UPSETS #25 RIDER – LOSES 21-16
 
                (Clarion, Pa.): Oh but for a few seconds – an upset was in the making at Tippin Gym tonight.
 
Clarion's Justin Arthur (Fr. Huntington, W.V.) notched a fall, Austin Matthews (Fr. Greenville/Reynolds) a major decision and Clarion led at the mid-way point 13-6. The Eagles lost two bouts in the final seconds down the stretch that resulted in Clarion losing a 21-16 decision to #25 ranked Rider in NCAA Division I wrestling on Saturday night.
 
"What a match," said Clarion's second year head coach Troy Letters. "We really wrestled well tonight and had it right there for the taking. We'll get there – we just have to keep working hard and the wins will come."
 
Trailing 3-0 after 125, Clarion junior Sam Sherlock (Jr. West Mifflin) brought the crowd to its feet with a takedown 50 seconds into overtime to defeat Chuck Zeisloft 7-5 and tie the team score 3-3.
 
After John Pezze (So. North Huntingdon) lost a 7-1 decision at 141-pounds, Clarion's dynamic duo of Justin Arthur and Austin Matthews went to work.
 
At 149-pounds Arthur trailed in the second period 4-1 when he caught Curt Delia in a headlock and pinned the Bronc at 4:01 to give Clarion a 9-6 lead. Arthur, ranked #18 in the nation, upped his record to 17-3.
 
Matthews came right back and won a 10-1 major decision over Wayne Stinson at 157 to give Clarion a 13-6 advantage. Matthews opened with a five-point move in the first period and a 5-0 lead. A reversal, takedown and riding time in the third boosted Matthews to an 11-2 record.
 
Clarion freshman Michael Pavasko (Fr. Munhall/Steel Valley) lost a heart-breaking 10-7 decision to #12 ranked Ramon Santiago at 165. Tied 5-5 in the third, Pavasko reversed Santiago for a 7-5 lead. Santiago escaped but Pavasko led 7-6 to the final seconds. Santiago scored a takedown with about 8 seconds remaining along with a two point nearfall at the buzzer to win 10-7.
 
Rider's Conor Brennan decisioned the Eagles Ryan Darch (Jr. Batavia, N.Y.) 9-5 at 174 – giving pulling Rider to within 13-12 of Clarion.
 
Clarion freshman Dustin Conti (Jefferson/Jeff-Morgan) wrestled a strong match against Rider senior Jim Resnick but lost 9-8 when Resnick scored a takedown with 1 second left in the bout. Conti had the upper hand in the bout when he escaped to start the third period, then took Resnick down for a 7-4 advantage. Resnick escaped and took Conti down, but Conti escaped with about 30 seconds left and led 8-7. A flurry in the final seconds saw Resnick get the bout winner with 1 second left – and Ride jumped ahead in the meet 15-13.
 
Rider's Donald McNeil pinned Brandon Contreras at 197, but Clarion heavyweight Evan Daley (Fr. Erie/Fort LeBoeuf) posted 2 takedowns, an escape and riding time to defeat Greg Velasco 6-0 in the final bout – making the final score Rider 21 and Clarion 16.
 
CLARION NOTES: Clarion drops to 4-6 on the dual meet season and 0-2 in the EWL… Rider, a new member of the EWL, raised its record to 6-2 and 2-1 in the EWL…. Clarion is off now until Jan. 12 when the Eagles are at the Pitt Duals at Fitzgerald Field House… Clarion will wrestle Davidson at 10am, N.C. State a 11:30am; Duke at 1pm and North Carolina at 2:30pm.
 
#25 RIDER 21 CLARION 16
125 - #18 Robert Deutsch (RI) dec. Jonathan Mele (CL) 6-2
133- Sam Sherlock (CL) dec. Chuck Zeisloft (RI) 7-5 sv
141- Paul Kirchner (RI) dec. John Pezze (CL) 7-1
149 - #18 Justin Arthur (CL) wbf Curt Delia (RI) 4:01
157- Austin Matthews (CL) maj. dec. Wayne Stinson (RI) 10-1
165- #12 Ramon Santiago (RI) dec. Michael Pavasko (CL) 10-7
174- Conor Brennan (RI) dec. Ryan Darch (CL) 9-5
184 – Jim Resnick (RI) dec. Dustin Conti (CL) 9-8
197- Donald McNeil (RI) wbf Brandon Contreras (CL) 3:28
285- Evan Daley (CL) dec. Greg Velasco (RI) 6-0
CLARION: 4-6; 0-2 EWL
RIDER: 6-2; 2-1 EWL
Ref: Mike Millward