The Shippensburg University wrestling team opened its 2019-20 season with a 25-13 dual meet win against Elizabethtown College. Things did not start off well for the Raiders, as they had to forfeit the first match in the 125-pound weight class. This caused an early six-point deficit for the Raiders
After the forfeit, sophomore Jake Downing defeated Josh McLaughlin at the 133-pound weight class to put Shippensburg on the board and cut the deficit to 3-6. In the 141-pound division, Shippensburg sophomore Matt Milbrand defeated Luke Moynihan 10-4 to tie the match up at six.
In the 149-pound weight class, SU redshirt junior DeAndre Reed dominated Josh Paisley by seven points to give the Raiders the lead in the match. In the 157-pound weight class, Shippensburg got its fourth straight win from redshirt junior Pat Duggan, who defeated Brian Schneider 10-6 to extend the Raiders’ lead to 12-6.
Elizabethtown would strike back in the 165-pound weight class when Kyle Bythell defeated SU sophomore Drake Brenize 3-0 to cut the Raiders’ lead down to 12-9.
Shippensburg then extended its lead in the 174-pound weight class when sophomore Colton Babcock pinned Hunter Beaudet to give the Raiders six more points and extend the lead to 18-9.
Elizabethtown’s Dayne Ross defeated freshman Alex Fouse in a major decision 14-3 to cut the Raiders’ lead to 18-13. Then, in the 197-pound weight class, redshirt sophomore Austin Klucker beat Tyler Phenegar 8-6 to put the Raiders back up by eight, 21-13.
The final match of the night was the 285-pound weight class. Derek Berberick scored a 12-1 major decision over Keegan McCord to seal the victory for the Raiders.
With the win, the Raiders are 1-0 on the year. Up next for the Raiders is a match against Waynesburg University on Nov. 20 at Heiges Field House.
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