Gannon University had its home debut this season on Wednesday against ninth-ranked Lake Erie College and dominated the mats with a 36-14 win over the Storm.
This marks Gannon’s first win against a Top-10 program since Jan. 3, 2011.
Redshirt junior John Marotto defeated Lake Erie’s Alec Benedetti, who was 6-0 coming into the match.
Nate Ross also had a solid performance against Lake Erie by pinning Hunter turner in 37 seconds.
Last week’s D2 wrestler of the week, Chris Matthews also had a quick match against Lake Erie’s Dylan Kager after pinning him in 2 minutes, 3 seconds.
Prior to Tuesday’s matchup with Lake Erie, the Knights took on nationally ranked Pitt-Johnstown Friday at the UPJ Sports Center and were faced with many challenges as they suffered a 42-0 shutout defeat at the hands of the fourth-ranked team.
With UPJ’s 11-1, 4-0 record up against Gannon’s 2-2, 2-2 standings in the PSAC, there was no doubt that the Knights were faced with some skilled competition.
Despite this defeat, the Knights displayed tenacity and determination throughout their 10 bouts. Specifically Gannon’s Nigel Toussaint came up one point short to UPJ’s Jacob Hart with a 7-6 loss in the 197-pound weight class.
Toussaint strategically battled throughout each period; however, it was Hart who ultimately surpassed him with the victory.
Gannon’s Christopher Matthews, the fourth-ranked NCAA Division II Super Region One wrestler at 174 pounds, also faced off against No. 3 in the NCAA Division II Super Region One, UPJ’s John Blankenship.
After a scoreless first period, Blankenship took the lead in the second period with an escape and held on for the 2-0 victory over Matthews in the final minutes of the match.
The Knights will return to the mats at noon Saturday at the Hammermill Center when they host Shippensburg in a PSAC meet.
Gannon will then take on rival Mercyhurst at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

DANA MILANI
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