LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall's wrestling team battled George Mason throughout the Diplomats' non-conference home contest on Saturday evening, but were undone by a 31-11 score in Mayser.

With the defeat, F&M fell to 3-8 on the year while the Patriots improved to 6-11.

Before the start of the match, the Diplomats honored their four-member senior class of Robbie King, Gordon Bolig, Michael Marano and Tom Quinlan.

Down by a 4-0 score heading into 133, Dan Martoccio continued his impressive season with a 10-point showing in the first period, which included eight back points. The junior hung on from there, delivering F&M a clutch 10-2 major that knotted the team score at 4-4. 

In the following bout, Paddy Quinlan (141) fought back late with a takedown in the final minute of the third period that evened the contest at 6-6 and forced overtime. However, George Mason's Tejon Anthony picked up a takedown in the first sudden victory period for the 8-6 win. 

The Patriots tacked on with a second-period pin at 149 and a 5-3 decision at 157 to go ahead by a 16-4 tally heading into 165. King temporarily stopped the momentum with a dominant 11-2 major, recording four takedowns in the bout, to pull the Diplomats within eighth at 16-8. 

A 13-7 decision at 174 and a pin with just eight seconds remaining in the third at 184, both went George Mason's way and put the match out of reach for F&M. Philip Robilotto, who competed in his first dual match of the season, provided a bright spot for the Diplomats at 197, taking a 7-2 lead in the first period and holding on for an 8-5 decision. 

The Diplomats return to the mat tomorrow when members of the team compete at the Warriors Winter Open, hosted by East Stroudsburg. 

George Mason 31, F&M 11

125: Ibrahim Banduka (GEMA) over Edgar Garcia (F&M) (MD 10-2)

133: Dan Martoccio (F&M) over Lio Quezada (GEMA) (MD 10-2)

141: Tejon Anthony (GEMA) over Paddy Quinlan (F&M) (SV-1 8-6)

149: Sahid Kargbo (GEMA) over Sam Butler (F&M) (Fall 4:54)

157: Matt Raines (GEMA) over Tom Quinlan (F&M) (Dec 5-3)

165: Robbie King (F&M) over Daniel Mika (GEMA) (MD 11-2)

174: Ryan Forrest (GEMA) over Jimmy Stillerman (F&M) (Dec 13-7)

184: Austin Harrison (GEMA) over Gordon Bolig (F&M) (Fall 6:52)

197: Philip Robilotto (F&M) over Matt Meadows (GEMA) (Dec 8-6)

285: Matt Voss (GEMA) over Jack Argast (F&M) (Fall 2:45)