WEST LIBERTY, W. Va. – East Stroudsburg University recovered from a 41-12 setback at the hands of No. 11 Ashland to earn a 27-20 win over host West Liberty to conclude Sunday afternoon's tri-match.

Redshirt sophomore Dylan Nace won a pair of bouts, including a pin over nationally-ranked Chandler Minnard from Ashland, while senior Tyler Richardson registered a 6-3 triumph against West Liberty and a forfeit win over Ashland to lead the Warriors (2-3).

Minnard was listed at No. 9 in the NWCA preseason national rankings at 141 pounds, and he came in at No. 4 in the most-recent Super Region II listings. Nace, who is ranked No. 3 in Super Region I, pinned the sophomore at 6:45 to earn six points towards ESU's team score.

The Eagles won each of the six remaining contested bouts, including bonus point wins for Michael Labry (No. 2 nationally at 133) and Brent Fickel (No. 4 at 149). Eight of the 10 Ashland wrestlers from today's lineup are ranked regionally.

The Warriors bounced back against the host Hilltoppers, winning 4 of 7 matchups on the mat. Nace, competing at 149 pounds for the first time in his collegiate career, earned a 10-2 major decision victory over Josh Cornell, and senior Brandon Steele added six points after pinning Nathan Dawson in 6:59.

Redshirt sophomore Vickson Krah (6-0) and Richardson (6-3) chipped in wins at 174 and 184 pounds, respectively. Forfeit victories were credited to senior Connor Maliff at 133 and redshirt freshman Francesco Palagruto at 141.

ESU topped West Liberty for a third-consecutive season. Nace improved his lifetime dual record to 18-0, and he is 13-2 overall this fall. With two more victories today, Richardson is now 10-4 on the year.

The Warriors return to action next Saturday, traveling to Lock Haven to compete in the 2016 PSAC Championships.



ESU 27, West Liberty 20
125 – Zach Brown (WL) won by forfeit … West Liberty leads, 6-0
133 – Connor Maliff (ESU) won by forfeit … Tied, 6-6
141 – Francesco Palagruto (ESU) won by forfeit … ESU leads, 12-6
149 – Dylan Nace (ESU) maj. dec. Josh Cornell, 10-2 … ESU leads, 16-6
157 – Ryan Dailey (WL) dec. Christian Silva, 4-2 … ESU leads, 16-9
165 – DeMadre Turner (WL) pinned Joey Kratochvil, 2:25 … ESU leads, 16-15
174 – Vickson Krah (ESU) dec. Cade Bates, 6-0 … ESU leads, 19-15
184 – Tyler Richardson (ESU) dec. Milton Kobaly, 6-3 … ESU leads, 22-15
197 – Brandon Steele (ESU) pinned Nathan Dawson, 6:59 … ESU leads, 28-15
285 – Garrett Vulcano (WL) tech. fall Daniel Makagon, 19-4 (5:58) … ESU leads, 28-20

* ESU was deducted one point for team unsportsmanlike conduct

No. 11 Ashland 41, ESU 12
125 – Sebastian Vidika (ASH) won by forfeit … Ashland leads, 6-0
133 – No. 2 Michael Labry (ASH) tech. fall Connor Maliff, 18-3 … Ashland leads, 11-0
141 – Dylan Nace (ESU) pinned No. 9 Chandler Minnard, 6:45 … Ashland leads, 11-6
149 – No. 4 Brent Fickel (ASH) pinned Christian Silva, 4:32 … Ashland leads, 17-6
157 – Colton Ullman (ASH) maj. dec. Joey Kratochvil, 11-2 … Ashland leads, 21-6
165 – Bret Romanzak (ASH) dec. Vickson Krah, 3-0 … Ashland leads, 24-6
174 – Brenden Stanley (ASH) won by forfeit … Ashland leads, 30-6
184 – Tyler Richardson (ESU) won by forfeit … Ashland leads, 30-12
197 – Luke Cramer (ASH) tech. fall Brandon Steele, 21-5 (7:00) … Ashland leads, 35-12
285 – Deaken McCoy (ASH) pinned Daniel Makagon, 1:08 … Ashland wins, 41-12


Super Region I Rankings
125 - #3 Brown (WL)
133 - #5 Humphreys (WL)
141 - #3 Nace (ESU)
157 - #8 Kratochvil (ESU)
165 - #6 Turner (WL)
184 - #3 Richardson (ESU)
197 - #4 Kemp (WL)
285 - #8 Cook (WL)

Super Region II Rankings
125 – #4 Vidika (ASH)
133 - #1 Labry (ASH)
141 - #4 Minnard (ASH)
149 - #1 Fickel (ASH)
157 - #1 Ullman (ASH)
165 - #7 Romanzak (ASH)
174 - #8 Stanley (ASH)
197 - #4 Cramer (ASH)