Jan. 11, 2009

Contact: Ryan Mulford

Ypsilanti, Michigan - Rashard Goff snatched his 95th career victory as the Vikings rolled over Ashland University, 24-15, on Sunday at the Bowen Fieldhouse on the campus of Eastern Michigan University.

With the win, Cleveland State improves to 4-5 overall, already surpassing last seasons win total.

"We wrestled this match very well," head coach Ben Stehura said. "Our guys knew what they needed to do and went out and performed."

Jordan Keller got the Vikings out to an early 5-0 by collecting a 16-1 tech fall over Brandon Davis.

Keller jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the first period after scoring a two-point takedown and following it up with a two point near pin fall. Going into the third period, Keller added two additional near falls to take a 6-0 lead.

Keller continued his onslaught over Davis in the final period scoring 10 more points. Starting the period on the bottom position, Keller got a two-point reversal along with three near fall points. After allowing Davis to escape, Keller once again took him down and put him on his back gaining three more near fall points and one point riding time for his 16th victory of the season.

With the team score tied at five, Lawrence Cavello once again stepped up his performance and gave the Vikings as 8-5 lead.

After a scoreless first period, Cavello started the second period on the top position and battled for position for most of the period before finally earning three near fall points. Cavello continued the pressure scoring another takedown and with one riding point, secured a 6-1 decision.

The Vikings were able to pull away with a trio of victories from Antonio Nicholson, Corey Carlo and Rob Michaels.

Nicholson came out with an aggressive game plan, scoring four points off a takedown and a reversal in the first two periods. In the final period, he added an escape point and a point for riding time in a 6-5 victory over Thomas Ganszl.

Carlo came out strong, scoring two takedowns and a reversal, on his way to a 6-2 win over Joshua Swanson.

Michaels tallied the fifth Viking victory of the afternoon, with a 13-3 major decision over Anthony Bradberry. After notching two takedowns, Michaels led 4-0 after one. Beginning the second period on the bottom position, Michaels was able to quickly get a reversal and turned that into a near fall giving him five points and a 9-0 lead going into the final period. Michaels went on to score one final takedown and with riding time earned a 10-point victory.

Cleveland State went on to win their final two matches from JT Miller and Rashard Goff securing a 24-15 Viking win.

Miller was able to grab a first period takedown and gain control of the match up against Thomas Kerrington.

Goff scored via two takedowns, along with a two-point reversal to start the second period on his way to a 7-1 victory over Jacob Southwick.

"This was a big win for us as we prepare for the upcoming EWL schedule," Stehura said. "We are starting to get some guys healthy again and performing at their peak levels."

The Vikings will be back in action on Saturday (1/17) when they host Kent State. Action is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Woodling Gymnasium.

CSU 24 Ashland 15

125: Keller(CSU) 16-1 Tech fall Davis(A); 5-0 CSU

133: Bartley(A) 16-0 Tech fall Palivoda(CSU); 5-5

141: Cavello(CSU) 6-1 Dec. Bara(A); 8-5 CSU

149: Nicholson(CSU) 6-5 Dec. Granszl(A); 11-5 CSU

157: Carlo(CSU) 6-2 Dec. Swanson(A); 14-5 CSU

165: Michaels(CSU) 13-3 Maj. Dec. Bradberry(A); 18-5 CSU

174: Ferguson(A) 15-2 Tech fall Cummins(CSU); 18-9 CSU

184: Miller(CSU) 8-1 Dec. Kerrigan(A); 21-9 CSU

197: Cleveland State forfeit; 21-15 CSU

HWT: Goff(CSU) 6-2 Dec. Southwick(A); 24-15