March 7, 2009
Contact: Ryan Mulford
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania - Rashard Goff capped off a brilliant senior season with a first place crown at the 34th annual EWL tournament Saturday night in the Thomas Fieldhouse. The Vikings finished the tournament in sixth place.
"I am very proud of the way our team wrestled today," head coach Ben Stehura said. "Rashard wrestled with incredible determination, he knew what he wanted to accomplish and went out and did it."
In the finals match, Rashard Goff took down Joe Fendone 5-4 in classic heavyweight grudge match.
Goff was able to score the first points of the match midway through the second period with a one-point escape and quickly followed it up with a takedown, giving him a 3-0 lead into the third.
Beginning the third period, Goff quickly shot in and added another two points with his second takedown to secure a 5-4 win.
"This win feels great," Rashard Goff said after capturing a first place EWL crown. "I felt very strong today, the two-a-day workouts I have been putting in all season really gave me a boost today. I am ready to get into the practice room on Monday and get ready for the NCAA tournament."
In a NCAA qualifying match, Rob Michaels had a first round rematch with Ethan Headlee of Pittsburgh, who he beat 3-2 earlier in the afternoon.
After battling to a scoreless tie at the end of one, Headlee was able to score the first points of the contest with two near fall points and a 2-0 lead.
Michaels began the third period with bottom position and was able to even the score up with a reversal for a 2-2 score with just over 13 seconds left. Headlee was able to add an escape point and riding time for a 4-2 win over Michaels.
To get to the qualifying match, Michaels squared off with Aaron Ernest of Lock Haven. After falling behind by two early, Michaels came storming back, with a reversal to even the score at two entering the final period.
Starting the period with top position, Michaels added four near fall points to expand his lead to four at 6-2 and with riding time, secured a 7-2 decision.
In a second NCAA qualifying, Antonio Nicholson squared off with David Jauregui of West Virginia.
After the first two periods, Nicholson trailed 4-2, courtesy of two separate Jauregui takedowns and two Nicholson escapes.
Starting the third period with bottom position, Nicholson escaped again pulling to within one point at 4-3 with just over 1:00 minute left. Jauregui however, was able to add two more points to his lead, making it a three-point lead and with riding time was able to squeeze out a 7-4 win over Nicholson.
"This was the best I have wrestled all season," Nicholson said after his match. `I felt very strong today; I was able to pin a tough wrestler who had beaten me twice this season. This tournament was a good way to cap of the season and my collegiate wrestling career."
In his preceding match, Nicholson continued his early day success jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead over Greg Lewis of Clarion, who Nicholson scored a last second takedown on February 14 capturing a 7-3 decision.
In the second period, Nicholson was able to tack on another takedown and take a 4-2 lead into the final period.
Nicholson continued his offensive domination during the final period adding another takedown and back points to secure an 8-3 victory.
In a fifth place match, Corey Carlo took on Ollie Cooperwood of Lock Haven.
Carlo was able to get on the board first with two quick points and took a 7-4 lead into the final two minutes. Carlo was able to add five points securing a 12-5 victory and a fifth place finish.
After suffering a 3-0 consolation round loss to Matt Fittery, Jordan Keller faced Chris Albright of Pittsburgh in a battle for fifth place.
Keller was able to score a takedown in the closing seconds of the first period to gain an early 2-0 advantage.
Albright was able to score a reversal from the bottom position to even the score at two heading into the final period. Keller was able to take the lead back with just over 40 seconds with a reversal of his own, capturing a 4-3 victory and a fifth place finish.
In another match for fifth place, Lawrence Cavello had a first round rematch with Steve Waite.
Starting the second period with bottom position, Cavello was able to score the first points of the contest with an escape gaining a 1-0 lead.
Waite was able to gain the upper hand early (2-1) in the third period with a reversal and was able to ride Cavello out for a three-point victory (3-1).
"We ended the year very strong," Stehura said. "I am excited to be apart of this program and look forward to seeing these young student-athletes continue to improve over the next few years."
VIKING PLACERS
125: Jordan Keller 5th place
133: Josh Palivoda 5th place
141: Lawrence Cavello 6th place
149: Antonio Nicholson 4th place
157: Corey Carlo 5th place
165: Rob Michaels 4th place
184: JT Miller 6th place
HWT: Rashard Goff 1st Place
