With decisions early and bonus points late, the Muhlenberg men's wrestling team defeated New Jersey City, 38-7, in its first dual match of the season.
The Mules took a 9-0 lead in the three lightest weight classes, with juniors
Brian McCaw and
Frank DiEsso and senior
Christopher Dalmau all posting decisions.
McCaw broke away from a 3-3 tie after two periods with an escape and takedown in the third to improve to 4-0 on the season. DiEsso scored a first-period takedown and accumulated enough riding time for a 4-3 win. After a scoreless first period, Dalmau recorded takedowns in the second and third en route to an 8-2 decision.
New Jersey City won the next two bouts to close to within 9-7, but Muhlenberg ran away with the next three.
Senior
Riley McHale (pictured above) notched his seventh career technical fall at 165, building a 16-0 lead on the strength of one takedown in each period and a pair of near-falls. Freshman
Nick Stump recorded his third pin of the season with a minute left in the first period at 174, and junior
Fletcher Goodman flattened his opponent in the second period for his seventh career fall.
Box Score
125
Brian McCaw (M) dec. Lucas Torre, 8-3
133
Frank DiEsso (M) dec. Dean Costantino, 4-3
141
Christopher Dalmau (M) dec. Andy Beras, 8-2
149 Zack Vera (NJC) dec.
Evan Mendez, 9-4
157 Jeff Johnson (NJC) maj. dec.
Chris Sockler, 15-2
165
Riley McHale (M) tech fall Ty Bailey, 6:51
174
Nick Stump (M) pinned Jaydin Mahon, 2:04
184
Fletcher Goodman (M) pinned Pierre Francois, 4:39
197
Deon Savage (M) won by forfeit
HWT
Ben Krauss (M) won by forfeit