"We came out and competed hard tonight," said Navy head coach Bruce Burnett. "I was really pleased with how well we came prepared and competed. We need to carry that intensity and focus over into Saturday's matchup against Lehigh."
Navy senior Alex Usztics (Dauphin, Pa.) schooled second-year 125-pounder James Knox, as he jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first period with a takedown and a near fall. Usztics extended his lead to 8-0 with an escape to start the second period and a takedown. Knox finally got on the scoreboard with an escape to open the final period before Usztics got in one last takedown to earn an 11-1 major decision and give the Mids a 4-0 lead.
Ninth-ranked Joe Baker (Poway, Calif.) pushed the Mids' lead to 7-0 with a 12-5 decision at 133 pounds over Annapolis, Md., native Jon Kohler.
The Terps finally got on the scoreboard following a close 5-4 decision by 13th-ranked Alex Krom over Navy senior Brad Canterbury (Blue Bell, Pa.) at 141 pounds. After a scoreless opening period, Canterbury went up 1-0 in the second period with an escape. The deciding period was full of action as Krom knotted the score by escaping from the bottom position. Krom earned two points for a reversal, followed by a Canterbury reversal, followed by another Krom reversal as the Terps held a 5-3 advantage. After Krom is cautioned, Canterbury got to within one on an escape, but his final move to bring down Krom was squelched.
Navy seniors John Cox (Grand Haven, Mich.) and John Jarred (Kansas City, Mo.) each won their matches at 149 and 157 pounds, respectively, to extend the Mids' lead to 14-3. Cox turned in an 11-4 decision over junior Andrew Schlaffer, while Jarred dismantled second-year Michael McGill in a major decision, 18-6.
Junior 165-pounder Justin Jacobs (LeRoy, Mich.) dropped a heart-breaker against 17th-ranked Jason Kiessling. Down 3-1 heading into the third period, Jacobs chose the bottom position and escaped. Following a scramble, Jacobs was able to take the lead briefly with a takedown, but the veteran senior was able to escape and force overtime. Just 23 seconds into the extra period, Kiessling scored a double-leg takedown to fend off the upset-minded Jacobs.
Ninth-ranked Matt Stolpinski (Westfield, Mass.) picked up an important win for the Midshipmen at 174 pounds, as he earned a hard-fought 6-4 victory over 13th-ranked Letts. It was an encouraging sign from Stolpinski who dropped a pair of tight matches to his Oklahoma and Oklahoma State foes last weekend at the Lone Star Duals. Stolpinski improved to 19-3 with the win, including a 7-2 dual meet mark.
Senior Antonio Miranda (Eugene, Ore.) faced sophomore Elijah Black at 184 pounds, where he earned a five-point win thanks to a 19-3 technical fall that included a near fall. After the first period, Miranda held just a 1-0 lead, but the veteran took advantage of Black's inexperience which included three points for stalling. For Miranda, it is his fourth win by technical fall this season.
Maryland redshirt freshman Hudson Taylor, ranked 16th at 197 pounds, wasted little time in adding to his win column for the year, as he pinned Navy sophomore Tyler Moyer (Bremerton, Wash.) in 1:01.
Navy junior heavyweight Ed Prendergast (St. Louis, Mo.) sealed the win for the Mids with a 9-5 decision over Terrapin senior Jerry Afari.
The Midshipmen return to action on Saturday when it plays host to No. 23 Lehigh at Halsey Field House beginning at 7:00 pm .
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