HOBOKEN, N.J. – The Messiah wrestling team squared off with a pair of Middle Atlantic Conference foes on Saturday in Hoboken, N.J. taking on the Delaware Valley Aggies and the No. 3 Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks. The Falcons dropped both of their duals against the Aggies and Ducks. Messiah started their day against Delaware Valley, falling 30-16. In the dual, Messiah earned three-straight victories with falls from
Noah Rice and
Garret Cornell as well as a major decision from
Zach Needles.
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Messiah also earned a pair of falls against the Stevens Ducks, but fell by a 34-16 final in that dual.
Garret Cornell earned his second fall of the day at 157 lbs. while
Joe Embleton picked up a pin at 197 lbs. as well.
Zach Needles completed his strong day with a second major decision at 165 lbs.
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The Falcons will be back in action next Saturday when they host the Chocolate Duals beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Hitchcock Arena.
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Delaware Valley defeats Messiah – 30-16
The Aggies jumped out to a quick 12-0 lead with a major decision, tech fall, and decision in the first three bouts of the day.
Noah Rice stepped on the mat and got the Falcons on the board at 149 lbs., earning a fall with just four seconds remaining in the opening period against Zach Zuckerman. Then at 157 lbs.,
Garret Cornell tied the dual up with an even quicker pin. Cornell stuck Greg Croce in 2:05 to tie the dual at 12-12 after five bouts.
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Zach Needles then put the Falcons in front with a 15-6 major decision at 165 lbs. Needles earned seven takedowns of the Aggies' Cooper Kidd in the bout. The major decision gave Messiah a 16-12 lead, but Delaware Valley won the final four bouts with a pair of falls and two decisions to claim the dual by a 30-16 final score.
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Stevens defeats Messiah – 34-16
Like their first dual in the morning, Messiah's opponent jumped out to an early lead. This time it was a 22-0 advantage after four bouts. The No. 3 Stevens Ducks earned two technical falls and two pins in the first four bouts to open up a sizable lead. Messiah cut into that advantage with
Garret Cornell earned his second fall of the day. Just 10 seconds into the second period, Cornell pinned Jason Smith at 157 lbs. for his second fall of the afternoon.
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Zach Needles followed at 165 lbs. with his second major decision of the day, earning a 12-0 win over Stevens' James Snyder. With Cornell's pin and Needles' major decision, Messiah was within 12 at 22-10.
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Stevens countered with a first-period fall at 174 lbs. and a decision at 184 lbs., but
Joe Embleton highlighted the upper weights for the Falcons with a pin in 3:50 against Max Ruiz. Unfortunately, it was not enough as the Ducks earned a decision at 285 lbs. and claimed the dual by a 34-16 final score.
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Delaware Valley defeats Messiah – 30-16
125: Jacob Blair (DVU) maj. dec. (15-4) over
Caiden Heller (MES)
133: Ryan Arndt (DVU) tech fall (20-0, 6:11) over
Bryce Arnold (MES)
141: Malachi Harvey (DVU) dec. (13-12) over
Asa Brunk (MES)
149:
Noah Rice (MES) fall (2:56) over Zach Zuckerman (DVU)
157:
Garret Cornell (MES) fall (2:05) over Greg Croce (DVU)
165:
Zach Needles (MES) maj. dec. (15-6) over Cooper Kidd (DVU)
174: Luke Moore (DVU) fall (4:21) over
John Sumner (MES)
184: Jaden Roberts (DVU) dec. (9-2, OT) over
Ryder Slayton (MES)
197: Isaiah Johnson (DVU) dec. (6-1) over
Joe Embleton (MES)
285: Logan Flynn (DVU) fall (3:58) over
Christian Conner (MES)
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Stevens defeats Messiah – 34-16
125: Luke Hoerle (SIT) tech fall (20-4, 2:18) over
Caiden Heller (MES)
133: Nico Diaz (SIT) tech fall (23-5, 4:35) over
Bryce Arnold (MES)
141: Kyle Slendorn (SIT) fall (1:23) over
Asa Brunk (MES)
149: Hunter Gutierrez (SIT) fall (4:37) over
Noah Rice (MES)
157:
Garret Cornell (MES) fall (3:10) over Jason Smith (SIT)
165:
Zach Needles (MES) maj. dec. (12-0) over James Snyder (SIT)
174: Stefan Major (SIT) fall (2:11) over
John Sumner (MES)
184: Frank Medina (SIT) dec. (5-1) over
Ryder Slayton (MES)
197:
Joe Embleton (MES) fall (3:50) over Max Ruiz (SIT)
285: Michael Dooley (SIT) dec. (9-3) over
Christian Conner (MES)
