New York, N.Y.- George Mason University fought valiantly throughout the Grapple at the Garden event held at Madison Square Garden Sunday. The Patriots improved throughout the day and finished with several strong individual efforts.

Mason lost to #18 Rutgers University 47-0 and then traded the lead back and forth with the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown before being defeated, 21-19.

The Patriots struggled with the ultra-aggressive style Rutgers wrestled with, as Mason wrestlers found themselves down early in each match-up. The Scarlet Knights used their early advantage to control the clock and force individual Patriots into taking risks as they tried to claw back into each match.

The most competitive match of the morning was between red-shirt senior captain Greg Flournoy(157) and Rutgers' John Vanbrill. After Vanbrill's started strong, Flournoy battled back but eventually lost 15-6, in a contest closer than the final score indicated.

After the morning session, Mason had an opportunity to avenge their earlier display as they took on the Mountain Cats of Pitt-Johnstown.

Red-shirt senior Vince Rodriguez(133) earned the Patriots' first points of the day, the maximum amount of six, as he won by fall in 56 seconds over Troy Dolan. Red-shirt freshman Tejan Athony(141) then followed up that performance with a 7-2 decision giving Mason another three points that put them in the lead overall, 9-4.

Mason and Pitt-Johnstown then traded victories for the next five matches. After a Mountain Cats' victory by technical fall, Flournoy won by major decision 14-3 over Lucas Palamides.

Following a Pitt-Johnstown win by decision, red-shirt junior Ryan Forrest won his match by sudden victory. In the match's waning seconds, Forrest salvaged a tie at one apiece, and then performed a takedown in the overtime period to give the Patriots a four point lead, 16-12.

Two straight defeats meant the final match of the dual against the Mountain Cats required at least five points. Mason fell just short losing the dual by two points despite red-shirt freshman Matt Voss(HWT) finishing the day winning by decision 5-3.

The way the Patriots were able to battle back after a rough start to the event proves the team can respond to adversity. Rutgers went on to top #7 Cornell in their next dual, 21-13, assuring the Scarlett Knights a higher ranking in the polls. The experience gained from facing off against clearly one of the best teams top to bottom in the country, should serve Mason well going forward.

The team will now have two weeks to take what they've learned and apply it in practice. Mason's next competition occurs in a home tri-meet December 13, in which the Patriots will take on Clarion and Grand Canyon University in Fairfax, Va.

Results:

Match #1 Round 1: Rutgers defeated George Mason 47-0

125 - Sean McCabe (Rutgers) over Ibrahim Banduka (George Mason) Fall 2:16
133 - Anthony Giraldo (Rutgers) over Vince Rodriguez (George Mason) TF 16-0
141 - Anthony Ashnault (Rutgers) over Tejon Anthony (George Mason) Fall 2:45
149 - Tyson Dippery (Rutgers) over Konbeh Koroma (George Mason) TF 15-0
157 - John Vanbrill (Rutgers) over Gregory Flournoy (George Mason) Maj 15-6
165 - Anthony Perrotti (Rutgers) over Patrick Davis (George Mason) Maj 20-6
174 - Phil Bakuckas (Rutgers) over Ryan Forrest (George Mason) Maj 17-4
184 - Nicholas Gravina (Rutgers) over Austin Harrison (George Mason) Fall 4:54
197 - Hayden Hrymack (Rutgers) over cameron Houston (George Mason) Dec 9-3
285 - Billy Smith (Rutgers) over Matt Voss (George Mason) Maj 15-2

Match #2 Round 3: Pittsburgh-Johnstown defeated George Mason 21-19

125 - Evan Link (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) over Ibrahim Banduka (George Mason) Maj 15-3
133 - Vince Rodriguez (George Mason) over Troy Dolan (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) Fall 0:56
141 - Tejon Anthony (George Mason) over Sam Hanau (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) Dec 7-2
149 - Travis Shaffer (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) over Konbeh Koroma (George Mason) TF 16-0
157 - Gregory Flournoy (George Mason) over Lucas Palamides (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) Maj 14-3
165 - Tyler Reinhart (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) over Patrick Davis (George Mason) Dec 7-1
174 - Ryan Forrest (George Mason) over John Blankenship (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) Dec 1-1
184 - Travis McKillop (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) over Luke Ludke (George Mason) Fall 0:48
197 - Tyler Oliver (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) over cameron Houston (George Mason) Dec 8-7
285 - Matt Voss (George Mason) over Josh Duplin (Pittsburgh-Johnstown) Dec 5-3