COLLEGEVILLE, PA – The Ursinus College wrestling team dropped a close dual-meet match against Delaware Valley University 26-20.  

Dante Monaco and Gary Nagle both secured important pins for Ursinus, but the match would come down to the 285lb bout with the scored tied 20-20. Daniel Eckley secured the victory for Delaware Valley with a fall in just under two minutes at 285.  

Delaware Valley's Ryan Kelly opened the match with a decision over Franco Mazza at 125lbs to give the Aggies a 3-0 lead, heading into the 133lb bout. Jagger Clapsadle collected a major decision over Merlin Senat at 133 to give Ursinus the 4-3 lead after two matches.  

Delaware Valley's Russell Benson would secure a 16-4 major decision at 141. Benson is currently ranked third in the region at 141lbs and has a 10-1 record this season. With Ursinus trailing 7-4, Dante Monaco would square off with the Aggies Greg Croce at 149lbs. Croce shot in on a single leg, as Monaco hooked his own leg performing a wizard. With Monaco's head facing towards the mat, Croce reached out and secured a cradle. Monaco reversed the cradle after rolling to his back and secured a fall for Ursinus to give the Bears a 10-7 lead.  (Monaco's Reversal)

Shawn Marchesano would follow up with a major decision at 157lbs defeating Zuckerman 10-2. Marchesano jumped out to an early 4-0 lead after a takedown and a near fall. In the second, Marchesano recorded his third takedown of the match and held a 6-2 advantage. The major decision would give the Bears a 14-7 lead, halfway through the dual.  

Delaware Valley's Cooper Kidd defeated Jakob Dallarda by major decision 17-7 to make the score 14-11 Ursinus. Yousseff Ait Boulahri defeated Jason Zollers at 174lbs to tie the match at 14-14 and set up a dramatic finish in the final three bouts. Ait Boulahri is currently ranked 1st in the region and 15th nationally.  

Senior captain Gary Nagle would respond with a fall over Jake Ness in just under three minutes to give Ursinus the 20-14 lead.  

Delaware Valley would secure falls at both 197lbs and 285lbs to win their first dual of the season 26-20.  

The Bears will return to action December 22 as they travel to Wilkes College for the Wilkes Open.  

Delaware Valley 26, Ursinus 20

125 - Ryan Kelly (Delaware Valley) over Franco Mazza (Ursinus) (Dec 5-3) 

133 - Jagger Clapsadle (Ursinus) over Merlin Senat (Delaware Valley) (MD 11-2) 

141 - Russell Benson (Delaware Valley) over Wesley Tosto (Ursinus) (MD 16-4) 

149 - Dante Monaco (Ursinus) over Greg Croce (Delaware Valley) (Fall 2:42) 

157 - Shawn Marchesano (Ursinus) over Zachary Zuckerman (Delaware Valley) (MD 10-2) 

165 - Cooper Kidd (Delaware Valley) over Jakob Dallarda (Ursinus) (MD 17-7) 

174 - Yousseff Ait Boulahri  (Delaware Valley) over Jason Zollers (Ursinus) (Dec 5-1) 

184 - Gary Nagle (Ursinus) over Jake Nase (Delaware Valley) (Fall 2:57) 

197 - Jackson Crawn (Delaware Valley) over Connor Fritsch (Ursinus) (Fall 2:35) 

285 - Daniel Eckley (Delaware Valley) over Jake Ahmad (Ursinus) (Fall 1:47)