GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Messiah Falcons handled the visiting Shenandoah Hornets on Friday night in their first action against another opponent in nearly a year. Messiah defeated the Hornets 51-0 in Hitchcock Arena in Shenandoah's first-ever dual as a varsity program. Falls from Nick Barnhart (157 lbs.) and Matt Pangle (165 lbs.) highlighted the evening for the Falcons while David Stevens (184 lbs.) earned a technical fall and Brian Shermeyer (174 lbs.) picked up a major decision.
 
In total, the Falcons went 6-0 in bouts contested, earning two falls, a technical fall, a major decision, and a pair of decision to complete the shutout. Shenandoah forfeited matches at 125 lbs., 133 lbs., 141 lbs., and 285 lbs.
 
The Falcons will host The College of New Jersey tomorrow afternoon for a round robin beginning at 12:00 p.m. in Hitchcock Arena. Follow the action on GoMessiah.tv.
 
A Pair of Pins
Friday's dual started with three-straight forfeits from the Hornets with Corey Morabito (125 lbs.), Asa Brunk (133 lbs.), and Dalton Daugherty (141 lbs.) all earning victories for Messiah. After a quality, 10-4 decision from Jake Coniglio at 149 lbs. over David Smith the Falcons earned back-to-back falls from Nick Barnhart (157 lbs.) and Matt Pangle (165 lbs.).
 
Barnhart jumped all over Jalen Cornelius in his match earning a pair of takedowns in the opening minute of the first period. Barnhart cut Cornelius loose both times before taking him down a third time midway through the period. After riding him for nearly a minute, Barnhart earned the pin with 49 seconds remaining in the period. Barnhart's fall gave the Falcons a commanding 27-0 lead.
 
Matt Pangle earned an even faster fall at 165 lbs., picking up his pin in just 1:55. Just over 30 seconds into the opening period, Pangle earned a takedown of Hunter Thompson to take a 2-0 lead. Despite Thompson's best efforts, Pangle held him down and road him for over a minute before claiming the fall with 1:05 remaining in the period for Messiah's second-straight fall.
 
National Qualifiers Earn Convincing Victories
With Messiah's holding a 33-0 lead, the Falcons sent two of their three returning All-Americans from a season ago to the mat in back-to-back bouts. Brian Shermeyer was up first against Dylan Weaver at 174 lbs. Shermeyer commanded the opening period taking an 8-1 lead thanks to a pair of takedowns and a near fall. A back-and-forth second period saw both wrestlers earn plenty of points, including two nearfall points each, but it was Shermeyer on top in the end with a 16-7 lead heading to the third. A takedown and riding time in the final period secured the 19-7 major decision.
 
At 184 lbs., David Stevens made quick work of Derek Liddle with a 20-4 technical fall in 4:30. Stevens earned a total of three takedowns, three sets of near fall points, and a reversal en route to the tech fall.

Closing It Out
Spencer Clements earned a 9-2 decision at 197 lbs. to give the Falcons the shutout. After a scoreless opening period against Elijah Mosley, Clements took a 4-0 lead in the second after an escape, a stalling call, and a takedown. Two near fall points and a takedown highlighted the third period en route to the decision.
 
The Hornets forfeited the final match of the night at 285 lbs. to Carter Urich, giving Messiah the 51-0 final score.
 
Exhibitions
The Falcons split a pair of exhibitions against the Hornets with Max Martin highlighting the effort with a 4-2 decision over Thomas Domersese at 174 lbs.
 
What's Up Next
Messiah will be back in action tomorrow afternoon when they host The College of New Jersey for a Round Robin event. Two mats will be in action with a number of Falcons seeing action across both mats. Wrestling will begin at 12:00 p.m. with fans encouraged to follow along on GoMessiah.tv.
 
Messiah defeats Shenandoah - 51-0
125 - Corey Morabito (MU) wins by for.
133 - Asa Brunk (MU) wins by for.
141 - Dalton Daugherty (MU) wins by for.
149 - Jake Coniglio (MU) dec. (10-4) over David Smith (SU)
157 - Nick Barnhart (MU) fall (2:11) over Jalen Cornelius (SU)
165 - Matt Pangle (MU) fall (1:55) over Hunter Thompson (SU)
174 - Brian Shermeyer (MU) maj. dec. (19-7) over Dylan Weaver (SU)
184 - David Stevens (MU) tech fall (4:30, 20-4) over Derek Liddle
197 - Spencer Clements (MU) dec. (9-2) over Elijah Mosley (SU)
285 - Carter Urich (MU) wins by for.
 
Exhibitions
141 - Morgan Robinson (SU) dec. (11-5) over Dalton Daugherty (MU)
174 - Max Martin (MU) dec. (4-2) over Thomas Domerese (SU)

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