BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – The Franklin & Marshall wrestling team split a pair of EIWA duals in New York on Saturday afternoon. The Diplomats notched their first EIWA victory of the year during a dominant 29-11 victory over LIU, but fell 21-12 during the afternoon trip to Hofstra.
Mason Leiphart and Pat Phillips both went a perfect 2-0 Saturday as the team took seven of 10 bouts during its victory against the Sharks. Throughout the day, both Phillips and James Conway became the fourth of fifth wrestlers to reach 20 wins on the season.
Franklin & Marshall 29, LIU 11
The Diplomats dominated early and often during the conference matchup with LIU, racing out to a 29-0 lead. Starting the dual at 174 lbs., Noah Fox helped F&M record bonus points during each of its first three victories. He secured four takedowns during his 16-2 win. James Conway followed that up with six points as the F&M sophomore was winning 2-0 before his opponent had to default with an injury just over one minute into the match.
Fresh off of being ranked No. 32 in the country in the initial Division I Coaches' Ranking, John Crawford solidified that national prestige with two takedowns and three sets of four near fall points, cruising to an 18-2 technical fall in just 3:40. Cenzo Pelusi pushed the pace to escape some early trouble at heavyweight. He earned three stall calls against his opponent during the first two periods before an escape and takedown in the third clinched his 8-5 decision.
Mason Leiphart started his undefeated day with a 7-2 decision. The first-year was up 6-0 after his first period before cruising to the victory. Pat Phillips continued to rack up the technical falls as of late with a 16-1 victory in just 4:53. He secured 10 near fall points and two takedowns for the early match termination.
Aidan O'Shea found himself in a early 6-0 hole at 141 lbs., but answered back with six near falls points in the second period to tie the match. With his choice, he escaped and iced the 9-6 victory with the closing takedown. The comeback victory put the Diplomats up 29-0 and LIU's final three wins proved too little, too late. Nevertheless, F&M did close the trip to LIU on a high note as RJ Moore got four takedowns during a 9-2 decision in an extra match at 165 lbs.
Hofstra 21, Franklin & Marshall 12
Just as the Diplomats raced out to an early lead in the opening match of the day, it was Hofstra that jumped ahead with a four straight decision victories from 174 lbs. through heavyweight following the quick trip to visit the Pride. Conway and Crawford both took on nationally-ranked opponents, with Crawford falling 3-2 in a clash of top 33 wrestlers.
Leiphart got the momentum flowing in F&M's favor as he racked up his Division I-leading 10th technical fall of the season with a takedown and 14 near fall points before the match was stopped at the 4:42 mark. Phillips joined his teammate in the unbeaten ranks with the only two takedowns at 133 lbs., helping him secure a 6-1 win for his 21st victory of the season. Starting with Leiphart, the Diplomats won three of four bouts from 125 lbs. through 149 lbs. That stretch was capped by a major decision from Bryce Kresho. Kresho poured on an escape, takedown, and four near fall to pick up a key bonus point that set the team score at 15-12. Even with strong efforts from the F&M first-years, the Diplomats' comeback fell just short. Nick Alvarez was leading 1-0 heading to the third period at 157 lbs. and RJ Moore had the first takedown at 165 lbs. before the Pride pulled out a pair of hard-fought decisions during the final two bouts to solidify the final team score.
Up Next
Wrestling will continue EIWA action this coming week when it welcomes Sacred Heart to the Mayser Center on Sunday, January 29. That EIWA dual will get under at 2 p.m.
Franklin & Marshall 29, LIU 11
174: Noah Fox (F&M) maj. Anthony Franden (LIU) (MD 16-2) (F&M 4-0)
184: James Conway (F&M) def. Gavin Claro (LIU); 1:01 (F&M 10-0)
197: John Crawford (F&M) TF Joseph LoPresti (LIU); 3:40 (18-2) (F&M 15-0)
285: Cenzo Pelusi (F&M) dec. Aeden Begue (LIU); 8-5 (F&M 18-0)
125: Mason Leiphart (F&M) dec. Robert Sagaris (LIU); 7-2 (F&M 21-0)
133: Pat Phillips (F&M) TF Kaelan Francois (LIU); 4:53 (16-1) (26-0)
141: Aidan O'Shea (F&M) dec. Devin Matthews (LIU); 9-6 (F&M 29-0)
149: Drew Witham (LIU) maj. Bryce Kresho (F&M); 13-4 (F&M 29-4)
157: Rhise Royster (LIU) maj. Nick Alvarez (F&M); 10-2 (F&M 29-8)
165: Blake Bahna (LIU) dec. Noah Bash (F&M); 5-1 (F&M 29-11)
165 extra: RJ Moore dec. Aaron Munford (LIU); 9-2
Hofstra 21, Franklin & Marshall 12
174: Ross McFarland (Hofstra) dec. Noah Fox (F&M); 8-2 (Hofstra 3-0)
184: #24 Jacob Ferreira (Hofstra) dec. James Conway (F&M); 7-4 (Hofstra 6-0)
197: #31 Trey Rogers (Hofstra) dec. John Crawford (F&M); 3-2 (Hofstra 9-0)
285: Zachary Knighton-Ward (Hofstra) dec. Cenzo Pelusi (F&M); 8-2 (Hofstra 12-0)
125: Mason Leiphart (F&M) TF Jacob Moon (Hofstra); 4:42 (16-0) (Hofstra 12-5)
133: Pat Phillips (F&M) dec. Chase Liardi (Hofstra); 6-1 (Hofstra 12-8)
141: Justin Hoyle (Hofstra) dec. Aidan O'Shea (F&M); 7-3 (Hofstra 15-8)
149: Bryce Kresho (F&M) maj. Michael Leandrou (Hofstra); 12-2 (Hofstra 15-12)
157: Joseph McGinty (Hofstra) dec. Nick Alvarez (F&M); 4-2 (Hofstra 18-12)
165: Eric Shindel (Hofstra) dec. RJ Moore (F&M); 5-4 (Hofstra 21-12)
