Panthers Fall to No. 9 Lehigh

Sunday, February 18

Bethlehem, PA

2 p.m.

Pitt

Lehigh

2/18/2018 7:20:00 PM | Wrestling

Forys, Zanetta, Rahmani Record Wins in Team Loss

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The University of Pittsburgh wrestling team concluded regular season action Sunday afternoon after dropping a 25-10 decision to No. 9 Lehigh at Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall

With the loss, Pitt finishes the regular season 4-11 overall, while Lehigh finishes 12-3.

Despite suffering a loss, three Panthers recorded notable wins in senior Dom Forys (133), redshirt senior Nick Zanetta (141) and redshirt sophomore Taleb Rahmani (157).

"The first five matches was some of the best wrestling we have done all year," said head coach Keith Gavin. "I thought we could've won 197 and heavyweight, but we let those two matches slip away. Overall, we have made some good progress since the beginning of the year and now we need to keep improving and have a good postseason."

The first five bouts featured all three Pitt wins as the team led 10-6 entering intermission, however the Mountain Hawks won three-straight bonus wins at 174, 184 and 197, and claimed the final two bouts to secure the win.

Starting the day at 125 pounds, Lehigh took the lead 3-0 in the dual after junior LJ Bentley dropped a hard-fought bout to 2017 NCAA Champion No. 2 Darian Cruz, 1-0. After a scoreless first period, Cruz started the second on bottom and escaped. His escape would be enough to win it.

Forys put the Panthers on the board after a win at 133 pounds. The senior outlasted No. 7 Scott Parker in a 7-6 decision. Forys and Parker were tied entering the third period as Forys started on bottom. He escaped to take the 7-6 lead and held on for the win.

Pitt took then took the lead, 6-3, after Zanetta upset No. 11 Luke Karam in a 6-1 decision at 141 pounds. Zanetta trailed 1-0 entering the third period as the two started neutral. With under one minute to go, Zanetta scored a takedown and picked up four nearfall points to secure the win.

Lehigh tied the dual 6-6 after junior Robert Lee fell in a hard-fought 4-3 decision to No. 19 Cortlandt Schuyler. Lee escaped with 1:30 to go in the final period, but wouldn't be able to score again.

The Panthers regained the lead after Rahmani picked up a 15-7 major decision over Ian Brown at 157 pounds. Rahmani entered the second period with a commanding 10-6 lead and never looked back.

The Mountain Hawks captured the remaining five bouts to win the dual, 25-10.

Pitt enters postseason Saturday, March 3 at the 2018 ACC Wrestling Championship in Chapel Hill, N.C., hosted by the University of North Carolina.

#9 Lehigh 25, Pitt 10
125: #2 Darian Cruz (LU) dec. LJ Bentley (UP), 1-0 – Lehigh leads 3-0
133: #11 Dom Forys (UP) dec. #7 Scott Parker (LU), 7-6 – Tied 3-3
141: Nick Zanetta (UP) dec. #11 Luke Karam (LU), 6-1 – Pitt leads 6-3
149: #19 Cortlandt Schuyler (LU) dec. Robert Lee (UP), 4-3 – Tied 6-6
157: Taleb Rahmani (UP) maj. dec. Ian Brown (LU), 15-7 – Pitt leads 10-6
165: #19 Gordon Wolf (LU) tech. fall Jake Wentzel (UP), 19-4, 5:55 – Lehigh leads 11-10
174: #4 Jordan Kutler (LU) maj. dec. Austin Bell (UP), 14-4 – Lehigh leads 15-10
184: #4 Ryan Preisch (LU) maj. dec. Gregg Harvey (UP), 10-1 – Lehigh leads 19-10
197: Chris Weiler (LU) dec. Kellan Stout (UP), 3-1 – Lehigh leads 22-10
285: #12 Jordan Wood (LU) dec. Ryan Solomon (UP), 3-1 – Lehigh wins 25-10

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