Mercyhurst improved to 9-6 against Gannon in the all-time series and has won the last four meetings between the two schools.
The most anticipated match of the night came right off the bat when redshirt sophomore Willie Bohince, ranked second in the Super Region I rankings, squared off against Gannon's Matt Turek, ranked first in the region, at 125 pounds. Turek earned an early takedown to grab a 2-0 lead before Bohince cut the lead to 2-1 with an escape to end the first period. Bohince scored the only point of the second period with an escape, tying the match at 2-2 heading to the third period. The third period was high scoring with Turek grabbing an early takedown before Bohince countered with a reversal. However, Turek reversed back, earned three nearfall points, and then held off a late rally to give Bohince his first loss in dual action this season.
Trailing for the first time this season after the opening match, it seemed to light a fire under the rest of the team and the Lakers responded with seven straight victories to take an insurmountable 23-3 advantage with two bouts remaining.
Redshirt senior Ryan Bohince evened the match at 3-3 with a 6-3 decision over Aaron Smith at 133 pounds. The elder Bohince jumped out to a 4-1 lead after the opening period and never looked back to improve to 11-8 overall and 10-6 in dual competition. Redshirt junior Kody Young gave the Lakers their first lead of the night with a 3-1 overtime win over Adam Weinell at 141 pounds. Both wrestlers exchanged escapes through the first three periods and then Young got the win with a takedown in the first sudden victory period. The Brookville, Pennsylvania, native improved to 13-9 overall and 8-8 in duals.
Redshirt junior Jeremy Landowski took the mat at 149 pounds with the Lakers leading 6-3 and used a big third period to outlast Gannon's John Marotto, 9-2. Landowski jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a takedown in the first period and the score remained that way until the Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, native scored seven points in the final period for the win. Landowski improved to 24-4 overall and 15-2 in duals this season.
The nation's leader in technical falls, redshirt sophomore Francis Mizia, was pitted against Garret Smith at 157 in what proved to be a high-scoring match. Mizia fell behind by a 4-2 margin after the first period before getting an escape and a takedown in the second for a 5-4 lead. Mizia then outscored Smith, 11-5, in the third period for a 16-9 victory and his 24th victory of the season against only three defeats. He also improved to 14-1 in duals this season.
Redshirt junior Angelo Bortoluzzi went to work against Nathaniel Ross at 165 and needed a riding time point to escape with a 10-9 decision. He improved to 24-6 overall and 16-2 in duals this season. Redshirt junior August Mizia made quick work of Gannon's Casey Pace at 174, earning a 16-0 technical fall victory - the only match of the night that resulted in bonus points. Mizia scored eleven of his sixteen points in the second period to improve to 25-4 overall and 16-2 in duals.
Sophomore Dakota DesLauriers earned the Lakers' final victory of the night at 184, posting a 6-1 decision over Adam Greenman to improve to 19-9 overall and 12-3 in duals.
The Golden Knights earned back-to-back decisions at 197 and 285 for the final margin.
Mercyhurst will go for sole possession of the PSAC Championship on Saturday night at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center when it entertains longtime-rival Pitt-Johnstown. The Lakers, who have won the first two PSAC regular season titles, can only be caught by the Mountain Cats in the conference standings. Wrestling is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will also serve as Senior Night for the Lakers, who will honor four seniors prior to the opening match - Ryan Bohince, Grant Chase, Nick Hannan, and Ryan Martini.
Results:
125 - Matt Turek (GU) decision over Willie Bohinice (MER), 10-7
133 - Ryan Bohince (MER) decision over Aaron Smith (GU), 6-3
141 - Kody Young (MER) sudden victory 1 over Adam Weinell (GU), 3-1
149 - Jeremy Landowski (MER) decision over John Marotto (GU), 9-2
157 - Francis Mizia (MER) decision over Garret Smith (GU), 16-9
165 - Angelo Bortoluzzi (MER) decision over Nathaniel Ross (GU), 10-9
174 - August Mizia (MER) technical fall over Casey Pace (GU), 16-0 (5:31)
184 - Dakota DesLauriers (MER) decision over Adam Greenman (GU), 6-1
197 - Nigel Toussaint (GU) decision over Grant Chase (MER), 9-3
285 - Nick Budd (GU) decision over Andrew Welton (MER), 3-2
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