Patriots Defeated by Edinboro in EWL Matchup

Wrestling 1/23/2017 12:00:00 AM

FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason wrestling team dropped its second straight conference dual of the weekend, falling to Edinboro 32-7 on Sunday afternoon at the Recreation and Athletic Complex.

Mason (5-9, 2-3 EWL) lost eight of the 10 bouts in the match, with Edinboro (6-4, 4-0 EWL) earning bonus points in six of its victories.

The Fighting Scots began the matchup when sophomore Sean Russell, ranked ninth in the nation, built a 6-1 lead after the first period and recorded an 11-3 major decision at 125 pounds over Mason junior Ibrahim Bunduka (11-2).

Edinboro freshman Korbin Myers, ranked 19th in the nation, followed with a 15-5 major decision over freshman Lio Quezada (11-15) at 133 pounds to give the Fighting Scots an 8-0 match score lead.

Mason sophomore Tejon Anthony (15-8) trailed 3-2 in the third period in his match at 141 pounds against Fighting Scots sophomore Nate Hagan. Anthony scored a riding time point to even the bout 3-3 and then won the match with a takedown early in overtime for the 5-3 decision in sudden victory.

"Real pleased with Tejon, he went out and fought the whole time," Mason head coach Joe Russell said. "He had a great third period to set himself up to win in overtime. He found a way to win and it was fun to watch."

In the feature match on the afternoon, Mason sophomore Sahid Kargbo (21-2) and Edinboro sophomore Patricio Lugo, who ranked 10th in the nation, were tied 7-7 after the first period. Lugo went on to win the bout by major decision, 19-9, to improve to 23-6 on the season.

Both of Kargbo's losses this season have been against opponents who have been ranked in the top-12 nationally.

The Fighting Scots won five matches in a row, including victories at 157 pounds, 165 pounds, 174 pounds and 184 pounds to increase the match score lead to 28-3.

Senior Matt Meadows (4-10) notched the Patriot's second win of the day with a 14-0 major decision over Fighting Scots sophomore Gordon Truesdale at 197 pounds. Meadows led 3-0 after the first period, 4-0 after the second and put the bout away when he scored eight near fall points in the third.

"We had some matches against highly-ranked opponents," Russell said. "We definitely got exposed. We better figure it out and improve. March is right around the corner and we have to keep getting better."

The Fighting Scots have won 21 consecutive Eastern Wrestling League duals.

"We're going to see Edinboro again," said Russell. "So the key right now is, so they beat us bad in January, what are we going to do when we wrestle them again in March at the conference tournament. We have to be able to close that gap."

The Patriots are back in action in the final conference dual of the regular season on Sunday, Jan. 29, hosting defending Eastern Wrestling League champion Rider at the Recreation and Athletic Complex. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

Edinboro 32, George Mason 7