Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)

VESTAL, N.Y. -- Host and 21st-ranked Lehigh won six of 10 bouts and held off visiting Binghamton wrestling 23-16 in the season-opening dual for both teams Thursday night in front of 1,303 at the Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall.

"Lehigh is historically one of the most powerful programs in the country and that's why we scheduled them ... to see early on where we are and where our learning curve is," head coach Matt Dernlan said. "We came up short but it was a good learning opportunity. I was disappointed in our effort and attitude tonight. We wrestled defensively and not in the style and philosophy we are teaching. I know the guys want to win but we have to compete in live action the way we compete in the room. We have a lot of strides to make but we will get there."

The teams split the first four bouts and when senior No. 4 Donnie Vinson posted a 7-5 decision at 149, the score was deadlocked at 6-6. Vinson notched career victory No. 100 (100-24) and improved to 55-8 all-time in duals.

But Lehigh won three of the next four bouts to build a 20-12 cushion. A pin at 165 and two major decisions at 157 and 184 were decisive.

Sophomore 174-pound Caleb Wallace pushed the Bearcats closer with a second-period pin at 174 and when senior No. 13 Nate Schiedel scored a commanding 13-point major at 184, the Bearcats were within striking range heading into the final bout at heavyweight. But Lehigh closed with a decision for the final seven-point margin.

"Caleb had a great win for us," Dernlan said. "He stayed aggressive, stayed on the hunt and scored a pin against one of the highly touted national recruits from a year ago. It was an exciting win and showed the team that good things happen when you keep attacking."

Up a weight class, Schiedel showed his talent, racking up 19 points in a lopsided major decision. The win was the 92nd of his stellar career (92-28).

"I'm proud of Nate's effort tonight," Dernlan said. "He looked to give us bonus points and attacked early and often and gave us an opportunity to pull out the team win. It was a great performance."

Senior 125-pound Patrick Hunter opened the evening with a 6-2 decision. Classmate Dan Riggi nearly doubled BU's advantage after carrying a 6-3 lead into the third period of his match at 133 pounds. But Lehigh's Laike Gardner rallied for the 7-6 win.

The Bearcats return home to host the 16-team Binghamton Open Sunday at West Gym.

"Our guys have to learn that we expect effort and attitude for seven minutes," Dernlan said. "We got on our heels tonight and didn't give ourselves enough opportunities to score. Against high caliber opponents if you only give yourself 3-4 opportunities, you will be on the short end. I expect our guys will make adjustments for Sunday and be ready to embrace the attitude and put out our best effort."


Results
125 – Patrick Hunter (BU) dec. Alex Abreu (L), 6-2
133 – Laike Gardner (L) dec. Dan Riggi (BU), 7-6
141 – Anthony Salupo (L) dec. Joe Bonaldi (BU), 9-6
149 – No. 4 Donnie Vinson (BU) dec. No. 19 Shane Welsh (L), 7-5
157 – No. 14 Joey Napoli (L) major dec. Joe Chamish (BU), 17-8
165 – No. 20 Eric Hess (L) pinned Vincent Grella (BU), 2:18
174 – Caleb Wallace (BU) pinned Nathaniel Brown (L), 4:39
184 – No. 3 Robert Hamlin (L) major dec. No. 17 Cody Reed (BU), 11-2
197 – No. 13 Nate Schiedel (BU) major dec. John Bolich (L), 19-6
285 – Jack Delia (L) dec. Tyler Deuel (BU), 8-4

Intermat rankings on Nov. 6