You can't ask for much more than that.
Princeton took control of its Friday night showdown at Columbia early, winning each of the first five matches en route to a convincing 32-6 win over the Lions. A technical fall for senior Jordan Laster, combined with four decisions, opened a 17-0 lead for the Tigers, and back-to-back first-period pins by Ian Baker and Troy Murtha secured the victory for Princeton. That win, combined with a 27-10 win by Cornell over Penn, leaves both teams at 4-0 in the league entering Saturday's 3 pm match, which will be shown live on the Ivy League Digital Network.
Following wins by Ty Agaisse and Patrick D'Arcy to open the match, freshman Matthew Kolodzik posted his 21st win of the season to open a 9-0 lead. Laster was dominant in a 20-4 technical fall at 149, and sophomore Mike D'Angelo continued his perfect Ivy League season with a 7-0 win at 157.
Leonard Merkin nearly pulled off an upset over one of Columbia's top veterans, but a late escape by Tyrel White gave him an 8-7 win. Carlin Powell made sure that momentum would be short-lived, as he posted a 6-3 win at 174, and then Baker and Merkin ended all drama with quick falls. Merkin recorded his second pin in as many Ivy League matches when he defeated Michael Bulkin in 25 seconds.
Now Princeton turns its full attention to Cornell, which owns the longest Ivy League championship streak (14 years) of any team in any sport in league history. Cornell has won 77 consecutive duals against Ivy League opponents, 75 in a row against unranked opponents, and 30 consecutive against Princeton. It has also never lost an Ivy League match inside the Friedman Wrestling Center, where a hungry, talented Princeton team will show up Saturday looking to make history.
The Tigers earned this chance. Now it's only hours away.
Results:
125 - Ty Agaisse (P) dec. Johnson Mai, 8-2
133 - Patrick D'Arcy (P) dec. Aec Kelly, 7-1
141 - Matthew Kolodzik (P) dec. Jacob Macalolooy, 7-4
149 - Jordan Laster (P) TF Sam Ward, 20-4
157 - Mike D'Angelo (P) dec. Laurence Kosoy, 7-0
165 - Tyrel White (C) dec. Leonard Merkin 8-7
174 - Carlin Powell (P) dec. Andrew Psomas, 6-3
184 - Ian Baker (P) pinned Jacob Young, 2:00
197 - Troy Murtha (P) pinned Michael Bulkin, :25
HWT - Garrett Ryan (C) dec. Ray O'Donnell, 2-1
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