Fighting Scots Open EWL Action With 45-0 Win Over Lock Haven
December 10, 2006

EDINBORO, PA – The Edinboro University wrestling team opened up Eastern Wrestling League action in impressive fashion on Sunday, defeating visiting Lock Haven a 45-0 defeat. The Fighting Scots, ranked 12th in the USA Today/NWCA/InterMat Top 25, won for the second time in two days and improved to 8-1 and 1-0 in the EWL. Lock Haven is now 2-2 and 0-1.

The shutout was the first for Edinboro since a 41-0 win over Slippery Rock in the opening match a year ago, and the margin of victory was the largest since a 48-3 win over Loras in 1987-88, Edinboro’s second season on the Division I level. The Fighting Scots have now won five straight matches against the Bald Eagles.

Edinboro received bonus points in five matches, including three falls, and picked up a win by forfeit. That came at 125 lbs., where freshman Eric Morrill (Sandown, NH/Timberlane Regional) improved to 5-6.

Ricky Deubel (Chagrin Falls, OH/Kenston) boosted the lead to 10-0 with a 9-0 major decision over Danny Lopes at 133 lbs. Deubel, ranked 15th by InterMat and 16th by Amateur Wrestling News, jumped out to an 7-0 lead after one period and coasted the rest of the way. The sophomore recorded a takedown just over thirty seconds into the match, and then was awarded a total of five back points in the opening period. He is now 9-5, while Lopes falls to 17-5.

Daryl Cocozzo (River Edge, NJ/River Dell Regional), the second true freshman in Edinboro’s lineup, moved to 2-7 with a win by fall at 4:23 over Brad Marquardt. Cocozzo grabbed a 10-0 lead after one period, and a second period reversal led to the fall.

Gregor Gillespie (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) improved to 14-0 overall and 54-4 for his career with a 15-0 technical fall over Donnie Ament at 149 lbs., the end coming at 5:30. The sophomore, ranked third in both polls, gained an 8-0 lead with a takedown and two three-point nearfall moves in the first period.

In the feature match of the day, Matt Hill (Freedom, PA/Freedom), ranked seventh by InterMat and eighth by Amateur Wrestling News, defeated Seth Martin, 6-1, at 157 lbs. Martin came in ranked 11th by Amateur Wrestling News and 15th by InterMat. Hill, a senior who had lost three times to Martin a year ago, fell behind 1-0 following a second period escape. He grabbed the lead with a takedown with 1:25 left in the period, leading to three near fall points with 30 seconds left, as Hill nearly pinned Martin. Hill added a point for riding time to improve to 14-0 for the season and 87-35 for his career.

Deonte Penn (Solon, OH/Solon) barely heard the whistle to start the 165 pound match when he grabbed a leg and took Landis Wright down. The senior worked Landis, a freshman, on his back before picking up his 39th career fall 59 seconds into the match. Penn is three falls shy of the school record, and improved to 89-41 for his career. He is 12-2 this season and ranked eighth in both polls.

At 174 lbs., Phil Moricone (Derry, NH/Pinkerton) improved to 12-3 with a 2-1 win over Derrick Morgan. An advantage of 1:07 in riding time proved the difference, as Moricome had an escape in the second period and Morgan one later in the third.

Alex Clemsen (Moberly, MO/Moberle) rode a strong finish to a 6-2 decision over Tom Kocher at 184 lbs. A senior, Clemsen found himself behind 1-0 after a Kocher escape in the second period. Clemsen escaped to start the third period to tie the match, then grabbed a 3-1 lead with a takedown at 1:27. Kocher closed to 3-2 with an escape, but with five seconds left Clemsen recorded a takedown, also putting him over the minute for riding time. With the win, Clemsen, ranked tenth by Amateur Wrestling News and 11th by InterMat, improves to 13-1 and now has a 97-32 career ledger.

Jim Gibson (Hermitage, PA/Kennedy Christian) gained a 7-4 decision over Jeremie Cook at 197 lbs. The junior is 11-4 thanks to a pair of takedowns and a reversal.

Edinboro picked up its third win by fall at heavyweight, as Joe Fendone (Salem, NH/Central Catholic (MASS)) ended his match with Mike Cook just 1:10 into it. Cook was a Pennsylvania state champion a year ago. Fendone boosted his record to 12-2 and 41-11 for his career.

The Fighting Scots, winners of 21 of their last 22 dual meets, will break for finals and Christmas before competing in the Southern Scuffle on December 29-30.

#12 EDINBORO 45, LOCK HAVEN 0
Sunday, December 10, 2006
McComb Fieldhouse, Edinboro, PA