In the most anticipated matchup of the night, the 197-pound bout, (4) Josh Glenn (AU) was across the mat from ODU's top wrestler, David Mendoza. With time winding down in the second period Glenn found Mendoza in a compromising position, turned and put him on his back. The referee signalled for the pin, but time had already expired. Glenn would go on to win a 13-1 major decision and put the score at 17-20.
Pellar would make the controversy a moot point however, with his pin. Even had Glenn been awarded the fall in the 197-pound weight class, Pellar's pin would have sealed the victory for the Monarchs anyway.
"It's been a common theme for us this year," said head coach Steve Martin. "When some guys under-perform, other guys step up. And that's what Pellar did tonight."
The Monarchs were unable to stretch the lead against the Eagles as they went into a quick 0-6 hole when Jasen Borshoff pinned Kyle Hutter. Senior Christian Staylor and sophomore Ryan Williams took the lead for the Monarchs with a 15-4 major decision and 9-5 decision to make the score 7-6.
Kaylen Baxter was unable to extend the lead for ODU however, as he went down 6-5 to Damian Swietlik. Red shirt freshman Chris Brown would do his best to make up for the loss, however, with a 17-6 major decision over Jimmy Pepper in the 157-lb weight class.
After halftime, Nick Pullano (165) and Derek Coffey (174) fell in back-to-back bouts to give the Eagles a five-point advantage, 11-16. It was true freshman Jesse Strawn that would step up for Coach Martin, then, in the 184-lb. weight class.
Strawn looked to be on the ropes against Anthony Fuschino until halfway through the first period. Strawn laid a massive takedown on Fuschino that would stop the match for almost the full 1:30 of injury time. Fuschino would continue, but Strawn pinned him early in the second period to regain the lead for ODU, 17-16.
With Mendoza taking the major decision loss the score ran to 17-20 and it would all be up to Pellar.
"It's nervewracking," said Pellar. "I hate when it comes down to heavyweights, but you put the team score aside and wrestle your own match."
And Pellar did just that, pinning Evan Murtaugh in 2:04.
The Monarchs are back in action this Wednesday, February 14, as they fly to Columbia, Missouri to face the number two ranked team in the nation. Missouri is 11-2 and coming off a loss to number three ranked Iowa State.
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