Army (5-5) clung to a tenuous 14-9 advantage before Filbert (125 pounds) Thome (133) reeled off consecutive pins. The Black Knights, who were coming off a first-place finish at last weekend's New York State Championships, won six of the 10 bouts en route to the victory.
Drexel (4-8) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead as the Dragons' Shane Fenningham took a 5-3 decision from Army sophomore Ryan Bilyeu in the 149-pound bout.
The Black Knights quickly responded, however, winning the next four bouts to surge in front by a 14-3 margin.
Senior co-captain Jimmy Rafferty began the Black Knights' string of consecutive victories by posting an 11-4 triumph against Austin Sommer in the 157-pound bout. Gracey, who won his first career tournament title at last weekend's New York State Championships, followed with a 13-3 major decision versus Anson Worrell at 165 pounds.
Junior Eric Gobin then recorded a 7-2 victory over Kevin Matays in the 174-pound bout to push Army's advantage to 10-3. Gorman, who also won his first career tournament crown at the New York States, posted a 12-4 major decision opposite Drexel's Bryan Sternlieb to make it 14-3.
Drexel halted Army's run of successive wins in the 197-pound matchup as 20th-ranked Brandon Palik slipped past Black Knight senior Derek Stanley, 5-3. The three-point decision pulled the Dragons to within 14-6 with four bouts remaining.
Drexel trimmed Army's advantage to 14-9 as Kyle Frey secured a 10-4 decision versus Black Knight senior Daniel Mills in the heavyweight bout.
The Dragons would get no closer, though, as Filbert and Thome posted back-to-back pins to snuff out any chance for a Drexel comeback. Filbert wasted little time in taking Mike Gomez to the mat in the 125-pound matchup, recording the pin in 2 minutes, 5 seconds. Thome needed less than two minutes to earn his pin at 133 pounds, dropping Drexel's Paul Wampler in 1:52.
Drexel's Frank Cimato closed out the match by earning a 13-7 decision versus Army junior Casey Smith in the 141-pound bout.
Army resumes its road swing on Saturday, Jan. 28, when the Black Knights travel to Cambridge, Mass., to face EIWA rivals Harvard and Brown.
Match Notes: Army improves to 7-5 all-time versus Drexel ... the Black Knights have defeated the Dragons in each of the last two seasons ... Scott Filbert ranks second on the team with six pins this season ... Jordan Thome tops Army with eight pins and nine bonus-point victories this season ... Jimmy Rafferty leads Army with 19 overall wins and eight dual match victories ... Cole Gracey and Michael Gorman share the team lead with three major decisions apiece ... Eric Gobin's victory marked his first career dual match win (1-4).
Results:
125: Scott Filbert (A) pinned Mike Gomez, 2:05
133: Jordan Thome (A) pinned Paul Wampler, 1:52
141: Frank Cimato (D) dec. Casey Smith, 13-7
149: Shane Fenningham (D) dec. Ryan Bilyeu, 5-3
157: Jimmy Rafferty (A) dec. Austin Sommer, 11-4
165: Cole Gracey (A) maj. dec. Anson Worrell, 13-3
174: Eric Gobin (A) dec. Kevin Matays, 7-2
184: Michael Gorman (A) maj. dec. Bryan Sternlieb, 12-4
197: No. 20 Brandon Palik (D) dec. Derek Stanley, 5-3
285: Kyle Frey (D) dec. Daniel Mills, 10-4
* - Match began at 149 pounds
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