Feb. 13, 2008

FAIRFIELD, CT - Freshmen Anthony Priore (Garwood, NJ) and Rick Eichenlaub (Woodcliffe, NY) recorded pins to help the Sacred Heart wrestling team come from behind and defeat visiting American International College, 22-18, on Wednesday night.

AIC, now 5-8, took an early 9-0 lead after winning a forfeit at 125 pounds and Jeff Haddad decisioned Pat Feeley, 5-3 in extra time.

The Pioneers, 2-11, took a 10-9 lead when Cory Dunn won a 12-3 major decision at 141 and Priore pinned Derrick Sandford in 4:51 at 149 pounds.

The Yellow Jackets took an 18-10 lead by winning the next three bouts. Martin Thompson defeated SHU's Michael Powers at 157, 6-3. John Mullinix took the 165-pound bout over Tom Sullivan, 8-2. Nick Lauriano gave AIC the eight-point lead with a 10-8 win over Jed Giguere at 174.

Eichenlaub pinned Yaakov Block of AIC at 184 pounds in just 2:41 to pull the Pioneers within two. The match turned at 197 when Brandon Lapp escaped with a decision over Morgan Wanzer. The two wrestlers were tied at the end of the bout, 2-2, but Wanzer was awarded the decision on riding time.

Bill Beirmeister clinched the victory for the Pioneers with a 9-5 decision at heavyweight.