PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall came up short against Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) foe Penn on Sunday evening by a 27-18 score in the historic Palestra.

The Diplomats dropped to 5-7, 1-6 EIWA on the year while the Quakers improved to 6-8, 5-5 EIWA. 

Action opened at 149 pounds with F&M being placed in an early 6-0 hole following a third-period pin. A 6-1 decision win by the Quakers at 157 pounds pushed the Diplomat deficit to nine before Emmett LiCastri got F&M on the board at 165 pounds with a 10-5 decision.

LiCastri notched two takedowns and a pair of reversals in his matchup, scoring points in every period to make the overall team score 9-3.

Penn rattled off three straight victories to head into 285 pounds with a 23-3 advantage. Cenzo Pelusi kept hope alive with a 3-1 thriller in the opening sudden victory frame. After the pair of grapplers exchanged escapes in the second and third periods, Pelusi landed the takedown in the first overtime period to secure the win.

However, the nation's No. 8-ranked wrestler Michael Colaiocco recorded a major decision for Penn at 125 pounds to put the match out of reach for good. A pair of Quaker forfeits at 133 and 141 pounds brought the final score to 27-18.

The Diplomats return to action at the annual EIWA Championships, hosted by Lehigh on March 6-7.

Penn 27, F&M 18
149: Lucas Revano (PENN) over Cristiaan Dailey (F&M) (Fall 6:19)
157: Jon Errico (PENN) over Noah Chan (F&M) (Dec 6-1)
165: Emmett LiCastri (F&M) over Jacob Lizak (PENN) (Dec 10-5)
174: Neil Antrassian (PENN) over Crew Fullerton (F&M) (Dec 8-5)
184: Jalen Laughlin (PENN) over Jimmy Stillerman (F&M) (Fall 4:42)
197: Cole Urbas (PENN) over Ethan Seeley (F&M) (TF 16-0 3:16)
285: Cenzo Pelusi (F&M) over Nate Hoaglund (PENN) (SV-1 3-1)
125: Michael Colaiocco (PENN) over Jose Diaz (F&M) (MD 10-1)
133: Jack Bruce (F&M) over (PENN) (For.)
141: Wil Gil (F&M) over (PENN) (For.)