“In the second half of the match it was good getting Tyler Wilps and Nick Bonaccorsi out scoring bonus points and really setting the tone for us,” said associate head coach Jason Peters. “Overall, it was a good team performance. We would’ve liked to do a little bit better down low again but all-in-all it was a good performance in getting us back to .500.”
After Maryland won the first two matches, Travis Shaffer got the Panthers on the board with an impressive 7-0 decision over Danny O’Malley at 141 pounds. Shaffer started the scoring when he got in on a double for a takedown and was quickly able to turn O’Malley for a pair of back points to take a 4-0 lead into the second. After the two wrestlers went scoreless in the second, Shaffer started on top and was able to get a pair of points for stalling en route to riding out O’Malley for the 7-0 decision.
Following a Terps win at 149 pounds, Troy Reaghard sent Pitt into the intermission with momentum when he defeated Danny Orem, 4-2, at 157 pounds. Reaghard opened the scoring with a nice takedown on the edge of the mat near the end of the first. In the second, Reaghard started down and earned a quick escape to push his advantage to 3-0 heading into the final frame. Orem began the third down and was able to score two reversal points on a scramble near the edge of the mat. Orem then cut Reaghard loose to make the score 4-2 but Reaghard was able to keep Orem at bay and secure the decision and send Pitt to the lockerroom trailing 9-6.
After the intermissions, Tyler Wilps earned a dominant 27-8 tech fall over Josh Snook at 165 pounds. Wilps started the first aggressively, scoring three takedowns and cutting Snook loose after the first two to take a 6-2 lead into the second. Wilps continued with his attacking style tallying another three takedowns after a quick escape to head into the third looking to secure bonus points for the Panthers. Wilps added four additional takedowns in the third and was able to secure the five-point tech fall when he tilted Snook near the end of the frame to earn three late near fall points and the 27-8 victory.
Bonaccorsi kept the Pitt momentum going when he pinned Aaron Norris at 3:58 in his 174 pound bout. After beginning the first period in impressive fashion by scoring three takedowns, Bonaccorsi was able to tilt Norris near the end of the frame but could not secure the fall before the horn. Bonaccorsi would not miss his next opportunity for six points when he caught Norris in the middle of the second period and secured the pin at 3:58 to push the Panther advantage to 17-9.
After Max Thoumusseit dropped a tough match at 184 pounds, Matt Wilps continued his strong season with a 7-2 decision over No. 13 Christian Bolley to clinch the match for the Panthers.
Pitt was able to close out the dual on a high note when Zac Thomusseit earned a 7-0 decision against Carl Buchholz to give Pitt a 23-12 win.
The Panthers return to action on Thursday, Dec. 20, when they open their EWL slate by hosting Cleveland State at 7 p.m.
Results:
125: No. 12 Shane Gentry (M) dec. Godwin Nyama (P), 5-3; UM leads, 3-0
133: No. 13 Geoff Alexander (M) dec. No. 7 Shelton Mack (P), 3-2; UM leads, 6-0
141: Travis Shaffer (P) dec. Danny O’Malley (M), 7-0; UM leads, 6-3
149: Lou Mascola (M) dec. Donnie Tasser (P), 5-2; UM leads, 9-3
157: Troy Reaghard (P) dec. Danny Oren (M), 4-2; UM leads, 9-6
165: No. 11 Tyler Wilps (P) tech. fall Josh Snook (M), 27-8 (7:00); Pitt leads, 11-9
174: Nick Bonaccorsi (P) pins Aaron Norris (M), 3:58; Pitt leads, 17-9
184: No. 9 Jimmy Sheptock (M) dec. No. 14 Max Thomusseit (P) 3-2; Pitt leads, 17-12
197: No. 2 Matt Wilps (P) dec. No. 13 Christian Boley (M), 7-2; Pitt leads, 20-12
285: No. 9 Zac Thomusseit (P) dec. Carl Buchholz (M), 7-0; Pitt wins, 23-12
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