No. 24 Pitt Wrestling Falls to Clarion Based on Criteria

Sunday, February 21

Clarion, PA

2:00 PM

Pitt

Clarion

No. 24 Pitt Wrestling Falls to Clarion Based on Criteria

2/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling

Feb. 21, 2016

CLARION, Pa. - The 24th-ranked Pitt wrestling team (10-7, 2-3 ACC) fell to Clarion (7-11, 2-4 EWL) in its final dual of the season, 19-18, Sunday afternoon. The Golden Eagles came out victorious based on second criteria.

Although falling as a team, individually five Panthers recorded wins including sophomore Dom Forys who is riding a six-match win streak.

At 125 pounds, freshman LJ Bentley got Pitt started with a 12-3 major decision over Clarion's Patrick Dewitt. Bentley finished the dual season 9-5 and is 8-3 in major decisions.

Forys then picked up his 24th win this season as he defeated Roshaun Cooley 17-4 in a technical fall (4:23). The Pittsburgh native now has 41 career wins.

Redshirt sophomore Nick Zanetta stepped in at 141 pounds and dropped a 4-0 decision to No. 17 Brock Zacherl, giving Clarion its first win of the dual.

Freshman Robert Lee returned to the win column as he collected a hard-fought 5-2 decision at 149 pounds over Brodie Zacherl, extending Pitt's lead to 12-3.

The Golden Eagles' second win of the day came at 157 pounds as Jake Keller defeated redshirt senior Ronnie Garbinsky in an 8-5 decision.

At 165 pounds, redshirt sophomore Cody Wiercioch squeezed out a 13-12 decision over Evan Delong. Entering the third period, Delong led 10-5 but Wiercioch battled his way back to tie the match 12-12 with 25 seconds left. With riding time in favor of Wiercioch, he went on to collect the win.

Clarion fought back to win the following three bouts, two of which were in overtime and one a pin. The pin at 184 pounds would later lead to the deciding factor of the dual.

Trailing 18-15 entering the final bout, it once again came down to redshirt sophomore Ryan Solomon at 285 pounds. Solomon battled his way to a 7-5 win over Evan Daley, but unfortunately the decision wasn't enough.

The Panthers finish the regular season 10-7 overall and 2-3 in conference action. Pitt returns to the mats March 6 for the 2016 ACC Championships hosted by Virginia.

For all things Pitt wrestling, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

125: No. 26 LJ Bentley (P) maj. dec. Patrick Dewitt (CU), 12-3 - Pitt leads 4-0

133: No. 22 Dom Forys (P) tech. fall Roshaun Cooley (CU), 17-2 4:23 - Pitt leads 9-0

141: No. 17 Brock Zacherl (CU) dec. Nick Zanetta (P), 4-0 - Pitt leads 9-3

149: Robert Lee (P) dec. Brodie Zacherl (CU), 5-2 - Pitt leads 12-3

157: Jake Keller (CU) dec. Ronnie Garbinsky (P), 8-5 - Pitt leads 12-6

165: No. 25 Cody Wiercioch (P) dec. Evan Delong (CU), 13-12 - Pitt leads 15-6

174: Michael Pavasko (CU) dec. No. 26 TeShan Campbell, SV-1 7-5 - Pitt leads 15-9

184: Dominic Rigous (CU) pin Zach Bruce (P), 2:59 - Tied 15-15

197: Dustin Conti (CU) dec. No. 29 Nick Bonaccorsi (P), SV-1 7-5 - Clarion leads 18-15

285: No. 18 Ryan Solomon (P) dec. Evan Daley (CU), 7-5 - Tied 18-18

*Clarion wins based on criteria 3.15.2