LEXINGTON, Va. – The Bellarmine University wrestling team battled hard but was unable to come away with a win in the Virginia Military Institute Tri-Meet, falling to Long Island University 28-12 and VMI 25-11 on Friday afternoon.
"Mentally, we resorted to bad tactics in tough situations," head coach
Ned Shuck said. " We didn't do well keeping our composure positionally today."
A pair of redshirt freshman in
Trayce Eckman (133) and
Grant O'Dell (165) along with redshirt sophomore
Zac Cowan (149) were able to score points for Bellarmine in the opening dual against LIU. Eckman evened the match 3-3 after earning an 8-4 decision before Cowan gave the Knights a 9-6 lead with a third period pin. Following a loss in the 157 class, O'Dell regained the lead for Bellarmine with a 9-5 decision, but the Knights were unable to hang on, eventually losing the dual 28-12.
In the second dual of the afternoon, Bellarmine got on the board first against VMI as redshirt freshman
Damion Ryan (125) gutted out a 3-2 decision in the first bout. The Knights would fall behind soon after, until O'Dell took a 12-3 major decision to put BU right back in the mix. Freshman
Andrew Liber (197) also earned a major decision, winning his bout 8-0, but the Knights ultimately fell 25-11.
"It's not going to get easier here on out," said Shuck. "So, we will see if the guys want to step it up."
Bellarmine (13-3, 3-2) will return home on Sunday, February 11, for a dual against Southern Conference opponent Campbell University at 1 pm E.T. at Knights Hall.
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Bellarmine vs. Long Island University
125: Robert Sagaris (LIU) def.
Damion Ryan (BU) by DEC, 5-2
133:
Trayce Eckman (BU) def. Kaelan Francois (LIU) by DEC, 8-4
141: Devin Matthews (LIU) def.
Chase Hall (BU) by DEC, 9-4
149:
Zac Cowan (BU) def. Drew Witham (LIU) by FALL, 6:45
157: Rhise Royster (LIU) def.
Gray Ortis (BU) by MAJ, 8-0
165:
Grant O'Dell (BU) def. James Johnston (LIU) by DEC, 9-5
174: Donavan Smith (LIU) def.
Cole Nance (BU) by MAJ, 12-4
184: Anthony D'Alesio (LIU) def.
Sam Schroeder (BU) by TF, 22-7
197: John Dusza (LIU) def.
Justin Hoffer (BU) by MAJ, 14-5
285: Christopher Powell (LIU) def.
William Muckler (BU) by TF, 19-4
Bellarmine vs. Virginia Military Institute
125:
Damion Ryan (BU) def. Anthony Burke (VMI) by DEC, 3-2
133: Dyson Dunham (VMI) def.
Trayce Eckman (BU) by DEC, 10-3
141: Patrick Jordon (VMI) def.
AJ Rallo (BU) by SV-1, 11-8
149: Ryan Vigil (VMI) def.
Zac Cowan (BU) by DEC, 7-6
157: Josh Yost (VMI) dec.
Jeb Prechtel (BU) by DEC, 14-7
165:
Grant O'Dell (BU) def. Luke Hart (VMI) by MAJ, 12-3
174: Braxton Lewis (VMI) def.
Cole Nance (BU) by DEC, 9-3
184: Toby Schoffstall (VMI) def.
Sam Schroeder (BU) by MAJ, 11-2
197:
Adrew Liber (BU) def. Josh Evans (VMI) by MAJ, 8-0
285: Tyler Mousaw (VMI) def.
Will Muckler (BU) by FALL, 4:25
