"It was a solid team effort," head coach Jason Peters said. "It was the first time these guys were able to fight back and get a win against Maryland. We were down in a couple bouts that we thought we could win. They pulled together and found a way to get it done. It was a good day for us."
The Panthers had a dominating performance in their first dual of the season. Four different Pitt wrestlers recorded pins over their Kutztown opponents including freshmen LJ Bentley (125) and Robert Lee (149). Sophomore Dom Forys (133), redshirt sophomore Nick Zanetta (141), and freshman TeShan Campbell (174) also contributed wins by technical falls. Pitt only suffered one loss to Kutztown during the match.
Pitt carried its momentum into its second dual of the day against host-team Maryland. Bentley came out with another impressive display as he won in a 16-5 major decision, giving the Panthers the first lead of the match. Pitt fell behind in the next four bouts, trailing the Terrapins 12-4 at the beginning of the 165 weight class.
Redshirt sophomore Cody Wiercioch (165) got Pitt back on track after an aggressive 3-2 decision. After a scoreless first period, Wiercioch started the second frame with a takedown. Maryland's Tyler Manion would get the last point of the middle period off an escape. Manion had another escape in the final period, but it wouldn't be enough as Wiercioch claimed the match with riding time.
Campbell followed with a hard-fought 5-0 decision over Derrick Evanovich in the 174 bout. Campbell earned his first points off an escape in the second period and locked in the win with a four-point near fall in the final period, giving Maryland just a two point advantage over the Panthers, 12-10.
The Terrapins extended their lead in the following bout as sophomore Zach Bruce dropped a 3-1 decision, giving Maryland a 15-10 lead.
Needing to win the final two bouts, redshirt senior Nick Bonaccorsi (197) stepped up to the challenge first by defeating Gerret Wesneski in a 6-2 decision. Bonaccorsi tallied two takedowns, an escape and riding time bringing the team score to 15-13.
In the final bout, Ryan Solomon (285) battled down to the wire with Dawson Peck. Solomon's lone point in the opening frame came from an escape. An escape from Peck in the second period tied the match, 1-1. Both wrestlers recorded an escape and takedown, respectively, tying the match at 5-5. With seconds winding down on the clock, Solomon escaped Peck taking a 6-5 lead then gained his last point thanks to riding time. Solomon's decision lifted Pitt to its second dual victory of the day.
The Panthers finished the Terrapin Duals by shutting out West Liberty, 41-0. Three different Panthers pinned their opponents, while two others won by a technical fall.
Freshmen Tyler Kenney (125), Joe Trovato (157), and Cam Jacobson (174) made their collegiate debuts appearances against the Hilltoppers and were key contributors in Pitt's win. Kenney tallied two takedowns, an escape and gained a point with riding time leading him to a 5-1 decision over Zach Brown. Trovato had an impressive performance this evening as he recorded two takedowns, four near fall points and an escape. He defeated David Schlieper in a 9-4 decision. Jacobson rounded out the freshmen appearances, racking up 10 total near fall points, including two takedowns and a reversal to earn a 16-1 technical fall.
"The freshmen did a really nice job for their first time in a dual meet," Peters said. "They understood what they do individually effects the rest of the team and did a really nice job. LJ getting that major decision against Maryland was the difference. Obviously we have a lot of things to work on and there's a long way to go until March. It's a good group of guys and there's a lot of quality effort."
KUTZTOWN - Pitt won 46-6
125: Bentley (P) pins Austin Petril (K), 2:26 - Pitt leads 6-0
133: Forys (P) tech. fall Anthony Petril (K), 21-6 - Pitt leads 11-0
141: Zanetta (P) tech. fall Bruno Gerardi (K), 15-0 - Pitt leads 16-0
149: Lee (P) pins David Migliaccio (K), 3:55 - Pitt leads 22-0
157: Matt Martoccio (K) pins Garbinsky (P), 3:36 - Pitt leads 22-6
165: Wiercioch (P) m. dec. James Meyer (K), 16-5 - Pitt leads 26-6
174: Campbell (P) tech. fall Christian Gayle (K), 16-0 - Pitt leads 31-6
184: Bruce (P) pins Julio Arrendondo (K), 6:04 - Pitt leads 37-6
197: Bonaccorsi (P) pins Charlie Livingston (K), 1:51 - Pitt leads 43-6
285: Rizzo (P) dec. Ryan Appleby (K), 12-3 - Pitt wins 46-6
MARYLAND - Pitt won 16-15
125: Bentley (P) m. dec. Jhared Simmons (M), 16-5 - Pitt leads 4-0
133: Tyler Goodwin (M) dec. Forys (P), 25-23 - Pitt leads 4-3
141: Alfred Bannister (M) dec. Racciato (P), 9-5 - Maryland leads 6-4
149: Wade Hodges (M) dec. Lee (P), 4-1 - Maryland leads 9-4
157: Louis Mascola (M) dec. Garbinsky (P), 6-3 - Maryland leads 12-4
165: Wiercioch (P) dec. Tyler Manion (M), 3-2 - Maryland leads 12-7
174: Campbell (P) dec. Derrick Evanovich (M), 5-0 - Maryland leads 12-10
184: Mark Colabucci (M) dec. Bruce (P), 3-1 - Maryland leads 15-10
197: Bonaccorsi (P) dec. Garrett Wesneski (M), 6-2 - Maryland leads 15-13
285: Solomon (P) dec. Dawson Peck (M), 7-5 - Pitt wins 16-15
WEST LIBERTY - Pitt won 41-0
125: Tyler Kenney (P) dec. Zach Brown (W), 5-1 - Pitt leads 3-0
133: Dom Forys (P) pins Jonathan Spence (W), 4:47 - Pitt leads 9-0
141: Nick Zanetta (P) tech. fall Josh Cornell (W), 16-1 - Pitt leads 14-0
149: Robert Lee (P) pins Anthony Craig (W), 2:28 - Pitt leads 20-0
157: Joe Trovato (P) dec. David Schlieper (W), 9-4 - Pitt leads 23-0
165: Cody Wiercioch (P) m. dec. Demadre Turner (W), 18-6 - Pitt leads 27-0
174: Cam Jacobson (P) tech. fall Daniel Carpenter (W), 16-1 - Pitt leads 32-0
184: Zach Bruce (P) pins Matt Dixon (W), 2:27 - Pitt leads 38-0
197: Matt Patrick (P) m. dec. Matt Dixon (W), 11-3 - Pitt wins 41-0
285: WLU forfeit
UP NEXT
The Panthers resume competition on Nov. 20 as the squad travels to the eastern side of the state to take on No. 7 Lehigh. A few days later, Pitt will compete in the Keystone Classic, Nov. 22, hosted by Penn.
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