FAIRFAX, VA. - The Cleveland State University wrestling team dropped its Eastern Wrestling League opener to host George Mason, 27-8, Sunday afternoon inside the Recreation and Athletic Complex.
Redshirt junior Nick Corba and true freshman Devon Pingel both posted convincing victories for CSU in its EWL opener.
Nearly all of the Vikings' setbacks Sunday came via decision, a number of which were close contests. Five CSU losses came in low-scoring decisions where the margin was no more than three points.
CSU fell behind early in its EWL opener as the dual started at the 125-pound weight class.
Sophomore Evan Cheek was on the wrong end of a tight contest at 141 as riding time gave his opponent a 3-2 victory. Redshirt freshman Grant Turnmire had a 1-0 lead after two periods, but his opponent was able to notch a takedown with 30 seconds to play to turn the match in favor of the Patriots.
Pingel tried to get CSU back into the match when the dual got to 174. The rookie took an early lead in the first period and pulled away late, posting three third-period takedowns, to win via major decision at 10-2.
Corba broke out of the gates with a fury to keep momentum with CSU as he broke out to a 10-0 lead after the first period. He used a takedown and twice was awarded with four points for near fall efforts in the opening frame. Corba held on for a 14-3 major decision victory.
True freshman Collin Kelly had a tight match at 197 but was unable to keep the CSU win streak going as he dropped a 3-0 decision.
Pingel posted his 13th win of the season while Corba picked up his 12th win.
A quartet of Viking reserves competed at the Purple Raider Open Sunday. The four grapplers combined for 11 victories on the day.
Competing at 133 for the first time this season, redshirt sophomore Andrew Coghill notched three wins in impressive fashion. He easily advanced to the quarterfinals with a second-period pin in his opening match before taking down his next opponent via technical fall, 19-0. After dropping his quarterfinal bout, Coghill rebounded with a first-period pin to advance to the consolation quarterfinals, where his run would come to an end.
Similar to Coghill, true freshman Terrell Grant competed at the 141-pound weight class for the first time this season Sunday. He dropped a tight opening match, 7-5, to a fellow Division I athlete competing unattached. Grant then ripped off a trio of wins in the consolation rounds, beginning with a win over a conference foe competing unattached. He won his second consolation bout via a 15-3 major decision before using a 5-1 decision to continue his run. Grant was stopped by Ohio State's Brendan Fitzgerald in the fourth round of the consolation bracket.
Sophomore Sam Matzek picked up a pair of wins in the consolation rounds at the 149-pound weight class. In the third round, he pinned his opponent in the first period to advance. In the fourth consolation round, Matzek picked up a 9-3 decision to advance. The sophomore's day would come to an end via a tight, 5-4, setback in the consolation quarterfinals.
After winning his opening match of the day, true freshman Chris Morrow fell, 4-0, to a fellow Division I foe competing unattached. Morrow responded well, though, as he won his next two matches with first-period pins, including taking down an athlete from a Big 12 team competing unattached. Morrow suffered his second setback of the day in the fourth round of the consolation bracket via a 6-2 decision.
No teams scores were kept at the event.
Cleveland State will remain on the road in EWL action next weekend as it travels to Rider Sunday, Jan. 22.
George Mason 27, Cleveland State 8
125: Ibrahim Banduka (GMU) over John Martin (CSU) - 12-8 dec.
133: Lio Quezada (GMU) over Spencer Dusi (CSU) - 3-0 dec.
141: Tejon Anthony (GMU) over Evan Cheek (CSU) - 3-2 dec.
149: Sahid Kargbo (GMU) over Nick Montgomery (CSU) - 14-5 MD
157: Matt Raines (GMU) over Grant Turnmire (CSU) - 3-1 dec.
165: Ryan Forrest (GMU) over John Vaughn (CSU) - 4-1 dec.
174: Devon Pingel (CSU) over Daniel Mika (GMU) - 10-2 MD
184: Nick Corba (CSU) over Austin Harriston (GMU) - 14-3 MD
197: Matt Meadows (GMU) over Collin Kelly (CSU) - 3-0 dec.
285: Matt Voss (GMU) over Michael Furbee (CSU) - 17-1 TF
CSU Results at the Purple Raider Open
133
First Round: Andrew Coghill (CSU) over Tanner Perry (Mount Union) - Fall 3:27
Second Round: Coghill (CSU) over Mitchell Giffen (Gannon) - 19-0 TF
Quarterfinals: Tyler Walker (Notre Dame (Ohio)) over Coghill (CSU) - 17-2 TF
Consolation Fourth Round: Coghill (CSU) over Giffen (Gannon) - Fall 1:16
Consolation Quarterfinals: Kelan McKenna (Notre Dame (Ohio)) over Coghill (CSU) - Fall 2:07
141
First Round: Dresden Simon (Unattached) over Terrell Grant (CSU) - 7-5 dec.
Consolation First Round: Grant (CSU) over Joe Sliwoski (Unattached)
Consolation Second Round: Grant (CSU) over Martin Margolis (Unattached) - 15-3 MD
Consolation Third Round: Grant (CSU) over Dan Kapraun (Mott Community College) - 5-1 dec.
Consolation Fourth Round: Brendan Fitzgerald (Ohio State) over Grant (CSU) - Fall 0:23
149
First Round: Sam Matzek (CSU) - bye
Second Round: Malik Amine (Michigan) over Matzek (CSU) - 16-0 TF
Consolation Second Round: Matzek (CSU) - bye
Consolation Third Round: Matzek (CSU) over Derbison Sulfranc (Unattached) - Fall 2:50
Consolation Fourth Round: Matzek (CSU) over Eli Stewart (Ohio Valley) - 9-3 dec.
Consolation Quarterfinals: Isaac Hammonds (Akron) over Matzek (CSU) - 5-4 dec.
174
First Round: Chris Morrow (CSU) over Austin Brooks (Mount Union) - 6-2 dec.
Second Round: Lane Hinkle (Unattached) over Morrow (CSU) - 4-0 dec.
Consolation Second Round: Morrow (CSU) over Paul Mizia (Mercyhurst) - Fall 1:36
Consolation Third Round: Morrow (CSU) over Kyle Rogers (Unattached) - Fall 2:57
Consolation Fourth Round: Dalton Ray (Unattached) over Morrow (CSU) - 6-2 dec.