Ewing, NJ - No. 6
Josh Thomson defeated No. 1 Zach Zotollo by a 10-6 decision at 174 pounds and helped the Falcons rally with a 20-15 victory over the Lions of The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). Other victorious Falcons included No. 2
Lucas Malmberg (125), No. 1
Kaleb Loht (141),
Derek Beitz (165),
Kyle Koser (197) and
Jason Wright (285).
Lucas Malmberg continued his dominance this season with a 13-4 major decision over Kevin Corrigan. Malmberg accumulated five takedowns in the victory and gave Messiah an early 4-0 lead.
TCNJ responded with a fall at 133 pounds and grabbed a 6-4 lead. Defending national champion
Kaleb Loht countered for the Falcons with a 6-1 decision at 141 pounds. Loht scored the only takedowns and was in control of the entire match. Loht continued his undefeated streak over division III opponents that dates back to the 2012-13 season.
The Lions answered with a tough 2-0 decision at 149 pounds and captured a 9-7 lead. Then, TCNJ earned another close 7-6 decision at 157 pounds and extended their lead to 12-7.
The Falcons moved back in the win column at 165 pounds with
Derek Beitz defeating Kellen Whitney 5-1. Beitz rode tough from the top position and came away with the decision.
The biggest matchup of the night was at 174 pounds where
Josh Thomson knocked off top ranked Zach Zotollo of TCNJ. Zotollo scored the first takedown of the match but Thomson stormed back with multiple takedowns and secured the upset victory.
Messiah led 13-12 heading into the 184 pound weight class when the Lions earned another tough 10-9 decision and reclaimed a 15-13 lead.
Kyle Koser was dominant at 197 pounds and produced a much needed 9-0 major decision for the Falcons.
With the score at 17-15 in favor of the Falcons heading into the final match,
Jason Wright won by a 6-3 decision and secured the team victory for Messiah. Wright led 4-3 in the third period and caught his opponent with a double leg takedown and fortified the victory.
Messiah improved to 19-1 with the victory over TCNJ and will wrestle their final dual meet against McDaniel College this Tuesday at Messiah College.
No. 8 Messiah College 20
No. 26 The College of New Jersey 15
125 –
Lucas Malmberg (MC) maj. Kevin Corrigan (TCNJ), 13-4
133 – James Goldschmidt (TCNJ) pin
Tyler Kishimoto (MC), 4:24
141 –
Kaleb Loht (MC) dec. Ryan Budzek (TCNJ), 6-1
149 – Steve Schneider (TCNJ) dec.
Adam Peris (MC), 2-0
157 – Antonio Mancella (TCNJ) dec.
Larry Cannon (MC), 7-6
165 –
Derek Beitz (MC) dec. Kellen Whitney (TCNJ), 5-1
174 –
Josh Thomson (MC) dec. Zach Zotollo (TCNJ), 10-6
184 – Brandon Simon (TCNJ) dec.
Jeremy Bailes (MC) 10-9
197 –
Kyle Koser (MC) by maj. Nathaniel Leer (TCNJ), 9-0
285 –
Jason Wright (MC) dec. Sigala Fosam (TCNJ), 6-3
