Jan. 9, 2008

FAIRFIELD, CT - Due to injuries, the Sacred Heart wrestling team was forced to forfeit bouts at 125 pounds and heavyweight, causing them to drop a 24-18 decision to Wagner and a 22-21 nail-biter to Binghamton University Wednesday night.

In the opening match against Wagner, the Pioneers won five of the eight weight classes they filled. SHU made a strong run in the higher weight classes and got wins from junior Jed Giguere at 174 and freshman Rick Eichenlaub at 184. Freshman Brandon Lapp tied it up at 18-18 with a decision at 197 pounds, but the Pioneers couldn't fill the heavyweight slot so Wagner claimed the victory, 24-18.

After forfeiting the 125-pound bout to start the match against Binghamton, the Pioneers got it rolling when sophomore Pat Feely won a close decision at 133 and sophomore Cory Dunn took one at 141. Freshman Anthony Priore won a 6-0 decision at 149 and the Pioneers had a 9-6 lead.

Binghamton, now 6-4, took a 12-9 lead when Nate Patterson pinned Mike Abell at 157. They extended it to 16-9 when Spencer Casey took a major decision from Tom Sullivan, 12-4 at 165.

Giguere, Eichenlaub and Lapp got it done for the Pioneers again, taking the next three bouts. Lapp won his by injury default. He registered an early takedown against Corey Waite, who was unable to continue when he re-injured an ankle that had given way in the previous match when the Bearcats took on Wagner. The Lapp win put SHU ahead 22-15, but again the inability to wrestle in the heavyweight class gave Binghamton the victory.