PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall battled Drexel in the early stages of Saturday evening's Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) contest but was eventually overpowered by a 25-11 score in Philadelphia. The Diplomats fell to 5-6, 1-3 EIWA with the decision, while the Dragons improved to 7-13, 1-4 EIWA. 

Drexel took an early 9-0 lead after the opening two bouts with a decision at 125, followed by a pin at 133. Richard Durso got F&M back on track, placing the first points on the board with a dominating 13-2 major decision at 141 to pull the Diplomats within five at 9-4. 

Sharron Townsend battled at 149 but was edged out by a 3-2 decision as the Dragons extended their lead to 12-4. Andrew Murano was dominant throughout his bout at 157, delivering four key points to F&M with an 11-2 major decision to make the score 12-8. 

The score was knotted at 2-2 heading into the third at 165 for Rob King, however Drexel's Jason Fugiel controlled the final period en route to the 9-2 win for the Dragons to push the advantage to 15-8. 

Colin Gironda followed with a close contest at 174. Tied at 0-0 after the first, Kevin Matyas earned a pair of points with a reversal in the second. With just seconds remaining in the third, Gironda was awarded a point off a stalling penalty to pull within one, 2-1, but was dealt the loss after failing to even up the score. 

Drexel followed with a decision at 184 and a major at 197 to take the clinching 25-8 lead heading into the heavyweight bout. Alex Henry managed to finish off the competition on a positive note when a takedown in the third broke a 1-1 tie and propelled him to a 3-2 victory. 

The Diplomats return home on Friday when F&M welcomes Bucknell to the Mayser Center for a 7:30 p.m. start. 

Drexel 25, Franklin & Marshall 11

125: Tanner Shoap (DU) DEC Jason Bing (F&M) 4-0

133: Kevin Devoy Jr (DU) WBF Scott Stevens (F&M) @2:34

141: Richard Durso (F&M) MAJ David Pearce (DU) 13-2

149: Noel Blanco (DU) DEC Sharron Townsend (F&M) 3-2

157: Andrew Murano (F&M) MAJ Nick Maccini (DU) 11-2

165: Jason Fugiel (DU) DEC Rob King (F&M) 9-2

174: Kevin Matyas (DU) DEC Colin Gironda (F&M) 2-1

184: Bryan Sternlieb (DU) DEC Adam Schroeder (F&M) 6-0

197: Brandon Palik (DU) MAJ Chuckie Kerkesner (F&M) 22-8

285: Alex Henry (F&M) DEC Joseph Giorgio (DU) 3-2