WASHINGTON - The George Mason wrestling team came up a little short in the Turkey Tussle, as the American Eagles beat the Patriots (4-3) for the first time in three years, 21-15.

After the match began with the 141-pound weight class AU 4-2 decision, the Patriots built a 12-3 lead with three straight wins. Kaden Cassidy earned a 15-0 tech fall, his third of the season, against the Eagles Gage Owen at 149 pounds. Redshirt freshman DJ McGee remained unbeaten (9-0) edging Jack Nies, 7-6. At 165 pounds, Evan Maag won by major decision, his fifth bonus-points match this season.

The Eagles (3-3) staged a comeback by winning three straight and five of the final six bouts of the night.

The Patriots #31 Chad Nix edged Will Jarrell, 9-7 in a hard-fought match at heavyweight for a 15-12 Mason lead. AU would win the final two matches, including six points earned on a #14 Jack Maida fall against JB Dragovich, 3:33.

George Mason 15
American 21

141 - Cael McIntyre (AU) dec. Dom Hargrove (Mason), 4-2 (AU 3-0)
149 - Kaden Cassidy (Mason) tech. fall Gage Owen (AU), 15-0, 1:38 (Mason 5-3)
157 - DJ McGee (Mason) dec. Jack Nies (AU), 7-6 (Mason 8-3)
165 - Evan Maag (Mason) major dec. Kaden Milheim (AU), 12-2 (Mason 12-3)
174 - Lucas White (AU) dec. Paul Pierce (Mason), 4-0 (Mason 12-6)
184 - Connor Bourne (AU) dec. Sean Coughlin (Mason), 5-2 (Mason 12-9)
197 - Carsten Rawls (AU) dec. Ruben Karapetyan (Mason), 4-1 SV (Tied 12-12)
285 - #31 Chad Nix (Mason) dec. Will Jarrell (AU), 9-7 (Mason 15-12)
125 - #14 Jack Maida (AU) pinned JB Dragovich (Mason), 3:33 (AU 18-15)
133 - Maximillian Leete (AU) dec. Shawn Nonaka (Mason), 4-2 (AU 21-15)