LANCASTER, PA - RP Norley (Jr., Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) overcame a 10-9 deficit with 1:27 left in the third period to take a 15-13 decision in overtime at 197 lbs. in the first match of the night to inspire a 26-15 victory over East Stroudsburg University in Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) action.

The win marks Franklin & Marshall's first over ESU since a 26-18 victory in 1987 as the Warriors had claimed 14 straight victories over the Diplomats entering the 2003 match. Historically, the Diplomats improve to 9-22-1 all-time against East Stroudsburg as the two teams tied 20-20 in 1988.

Down 9-7 after two periods to ESU's Sean McCracken, Norley scored a two-point takedown to trail 10-9 with 1:27 to go in the third period. Twenty-seven seconds later he recorded a takedown to go ahead 11-10 before taking on two more points with 38 seconds left for a 13-10 lead. However, McCracken rallied with a two-point takedown with 27 seconds left to close within 13-12 before escaping a Norley hold as time expired to tie the match at 13-13. In overtime, Norley controlled the pace as he swept McCracken off his feet for a two-point takedown with 44 seconds showing on the clock for a 15-13 victory by decision.

The Warriors tied the match at 3-3 at heavyweight as Stanley Foster notched a 7-4 decision over Joe McGuigan (Fr., Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson).

Franklin & Marshall captured the lead for good at 125 lbs. as Trevor Beard (Fr., Norristown, NJ/Germantown Academy) rallied from a 5-3 deficit with eight seconds left in the match with a takedown and two back points for a 7-5 victory over Mark Koszyk for a 6-3 lead in the team scoring.

The lead grew to 15-3 as Rich Gebauer (Jr., South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) handled Dan Gonzalez 8-5 at 133 and Joe Perretta (So., Havertown, PA/Haverford) notched a win by forfeit at 141 as the Warriors failed to field a wrestler.

Ironically, the deciding margin in East Stroudsburg's 18-15 victory over the Diplomats in last season's meeting on January 21, 2003 in Stroudsburg was a forfeit to Mark Smith as the Warriors' forfeit this year allowed Franklin & Marshall to build a 12 point lead the Warriors failed to overcome.

At 149, East Stroudsburg's Mark Smith pinned Matt McConnell (Sr., Kennett Square, PA/St. Marks) with 1:44 left in the second period to close the Diplomats' lead to 15-9.

However, Mike Parziale (So., Woburn, MA/Woburn) pushed the lead to 19-9 with a 15-5 major decision over ESU's Keith Kleckner at 157. At 165, Jason Giandomenico pinned Ted Seemuller (Sr., Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) with 1:19 left in first period as the Warriors closed to within 19-15 with two matches left.

The Diplomats closed out their ninth victory in 32 meetings with East Stroudsburg behind another come from behind victory by Nate Schy (Sr., Horsham, PA/Hatboro-Horsham) at 174.

Trailing 1-0 with 1:29 left in the third period, Schy tallied a two-point reversal to take the lead. ESU's John Carr tied the match 19 seconds later with a one-point escape, but Schy took Carr to the mat with 22.7 seconds left on the clock for a 4-2 lead. Carr added an escape with 6.1 seconds left, but Schy held off a late surge to capture a 4-3 victory and move the Diplomats' lead to an insurmountable 22-15 margin.

The Diplomats tacked on a major decision at 184 as Ben Evans (Jr., Yardley, PA/Peddie School) coasted to a 14-1 victory over Angelo Perri for a 26-15 final.

Franklin & Marshall (1-0, 1-0 EIWA) will continue the season on December 6 at Princeton University. Match time is set for 1:30 p.m.

Franklin & Marshall 26, East Stroudsburg 15
197 R.P. Norley (F&M) dec. Shawn McCracken 15-14
HWT Stanley Foster (ESU) dec. Joe McGuigan (F&M) 7-4
125 Trevor Beard (F&M) dec. Mark Koszyk (ESU) 7-5
133 Rich Gebuer (F&M) dec. Dan Gonzalez (ESU) 8-5
141 Joe Perretta (F&M) Forfeit 15-3
149 Mark Smith (ESU) WBF Matt McConnell (F&M) 4:44
157 Mike Parziale (F&M) MAJOR Keith Kleckner (ESU) 15-5
165 Jason Giandomenico (ESU) WBF Ted Seemuller (F&M) 1:41
174 Nate Schy (F&M) dec. John Carr (ESU) 4-3
184 Ben Evans (F&M) MAJOR Angelo Perri (ESU) 14-1