Grapplers Register 19-15 Comeback Victory Over Drexel
February 4, 2000 | Men's Wrestling
BOSTON - Trailing 9-3 after the meet's first four matches, the Terrier wrestling team outscored Drexel 16-6 over the final six matches en route to a 19-15 victory in East Coast Wrestling Association action on "The Roof".
The Terrier win was highlighted by reigning ECWA Rookie of the Week, heavyweight Rich Wilson (Coldwater, MI), who pinned the Dragon's Mike Carroll at 3:37 in the fifth match of the evening to tie the dual meet at 9-9. Wilson's pin marked his second in as many career matches.
B.U. 13-year assistant coach Steve Goode praised the heavyweight's effort, saying he was impressed that Wilson had the confidence to go for, and the ability to execute the pin.
Freshman Jose Leon (Santa Ana, CA) continued right where Wilson left off, earning a 14-4 major decision in the 125-pound weight class to put the Terriers ahead for good, at 13-9. Leading 10-4 with only seconds remaining in the match, Leon scored a two-point takedown against Drexel's Dan DiGirolamo and followed with a two-point near fall to record the mandatory eight-point lead for a major decision.
After Brent Yates of Drexel won a 9-6 decision in the 141-pound weight class over B.U.'s Francisco Ugalde to pull the Dragons within four at 16-12, B.U. 149-pound grappler Malik Elliott (Park Forest, IL) earned a 9-6 come-from-behind decision to secure the Terrier victory, putting B.U. ahead 19-12 with only one remaining match.
Freshman Mike Messina (Smithtown, NY) and sophomore Ali Abri (Ashland, VA) also earned decisions for the Terriers, in the 133-pound and the 174-pound divisions, respectively.
The win was the fourth straight for the Terriers, evening their record to 4-4-1 overall (1-1-1 ECWA), while Drexel dropped to 7-7 (3-3).
Head Coach Carl Adams' Terriers travel to Staten Island, NY on Sunday February 6 where they will face Wagner and Sacred Heart in E.C.W.A. action.
Scoring Summary: 165 Dave Dietrich (D) dec. Zak Emond (BU) 5-2 174 Ali Abri (BU) dec. Kyle Talley (D) 11-9 184 Pat Miller (D) dec. Chad Grant (BU) 9-6 197 Damien Craighton (D) dec. Ed Strauss (BU) 4-0 HWT Rich Wilson (BU) fall Mike Carroll (D) 3:37 125 Jose Leon (BU) maj. dec. Dan DiGirolamo (D) 14-4 133 Mike Messina (BU) dec. Justin Gottwald (D) 12-8 141 Brent Yates (D) dec. Francisco Ugalde (BU) 9-6 149 Malik Elliott (BU) dec. Jason Staso (D) 9-6 157 Ray Stofko (D) dec. Chris Simmons (BU) 6-2
