LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall wrestling team opened Eastern Intercollege Wrestling Association (EIWA) action on Sunday afternoon against Hofstra. The Diplomats (3-2) won five of the 10 bouts, but bonus points loomed large in the conference matchup which allowed the Pride (6-3) to escape the Mayser Center with the victory.
With the dual meet starting at 141 lbs., the hosts were holding a 12-10 lead following three consecutive victories between the 174 and 197 lb. weight classes. Nevertheless, a technical fall and forfeit swung momentum back in the Pride's favor and allowed them to clinch the dual victory.
Although the Diplomats were in a hole early, Pat Phillips did get the home side out to a 3-0 lead following the first bout as he got a first period take down on his way to an eventual 5-2 victory that included riding time at 141 lbs. With his latest victory, Phillips improved to 3-1 in dual meets this season and pushed his overall record to 19-10. Hofstra built its lead up in the middle weights with three straight victories from 149 lbs. through 165 lbs.
Hofstra took the lead with a major at 149 lbs., but the Diplomats had chances to pick up key toss-up wins at both 157 lbs. and 165 lbs. Dominic Wheatley was locked in a four-all bout at 157 lbs. after a crucial take down late in the first period. Nevertheless, his opponent earned three near-fall points during the third period for a 7-4 decision. At 165 lbs., a second period take down proved to be the difference in the 5-2 decision against Josh Palmucci.
The Diplomats began their attempted comeback at 174 lbs. where Noah Fox avenged a loss in last year's dual to Ross McFarland. During his 5-4 win, both wrestlers had a take down as Fox's came during the second period. McFarland tied the match with his own take down in the third, but needed a second injury time which resulted in the deciding point that made the Diplomats' senior captain 4-1 in dual meets on his way to his 19th victory this season.
Nationally-ranked James Conway (184 lbs.) and John Crawford (197 lbs.) got the score back in F&M's favor. No. 18 Conway was pushing for bonus points of his own at 184 lbs. with the only two take downs of that match before his opponent was able to escape with just the 8-1 decision against him. No. 31 Crawford, also had the only two take downs of his match in the 7-2 final. Conway remained a perfect 5-0 in dual meets on his way to his 23rd victory of the season, with Crawford improving to 4-1 in dual meets while picking up his 16th victory of his senior season.
Hofstra clinched the dual with a technical fall at heavyweight and forfeit at 125 lbs., but No. 28 Mason Leiphart was able to close the dual on a high note as he hit two Jonesy tilts for a 13-0 major decision. Those scrambles for big points came during the first and third periods and were more than enough offense for the Diplomats' sophomore who now has 20 individual victories on the season and is a perfect 5-0 in dual meets. Leiphart has now put up bonus points during 15 of his 20 victories this season following his third major decision of the year.
Wrestling will have its second of three consecutive EIWA duals in just under a week's time as the Diplomats will return to action at Sacred Heart on Saturday, January 27. That conference matchup in Connecticut is set for a 7 p.m. start in F&M's only action next week.
Hofstra 21, Franklin & Marshall 16
141: Pat Phillips (F&M) dec. Alex Turley (Hofstra); 5-2 (F&M 3-0)
149: Noah Tapia (Hofstra) maj. Josh Hillard (F&M); 14-5 (Hofstra 4-3)
157: Jurius Clark (Hofstra) dec. Dominic Wheatley (F&M); 7-4 (Hofstra 7-3)
165: Jake Slotnick (Hofstra) dec. Josh Palmucci (F&M); 5-2 (Hofstra 10-3)
174: Noah Fox (F&M) dec. Ross McFarland (Hofstra); 5-4 (Hofstra 10-6)
184: #18 James Conway (F&M) dec. Will Conlon (Hofstra); 8-1 (Hofstra 10-9)
197: #31 John Crawford (F&M) dec. Nikolas Miller (Hofstra); 7-2 (F&M 12-10)
285: Keaton Kluever (Hofstra) TF Harrison Shapiro (F&M); 6:35 (16-1) (Hofstra 15-12)
125: Dylan Acevedo-Switzer (Hofstra) won by forfeit (Hofstra 21-12)
133: #28 Mason Leiphart (F&M) maj. Dylan Ryder (Hofstra); 13-0 (Hofstra 21-16)
