Feb. 14, 2009

WASHINGTON - The American University wrestling team lost its first home dual meet of the season on Saturday, falling to Maryland, 26-11, in Bender Arena. No. 2 Mike Cannon and No. 12 Kyle Borshoff each recorded a major decision in the loss.

Maryland began the match with wins in the first three weight classes. Brendan Byrne won a close bout against Thomas Williams at 125 lbs., 6-5, to put the Terrapins on top early. No. 11 Steven Bell then defeated Jasen Borshoff by major decision at 133 lbs., 13-5, and No. 11 Alex Krom took down Matt Mariacher at 141 lbs., 8-5.

K. Borshoff earned the Eagles first win of the evening with a 15-3 major decision over Chris Stinnett in the 149 lbs. bout. Borshoff scored a takedown early in the first period and accrued 2:08 of riding time before the period ended. K. Borshoff proceeded to take Stinnett down three times in the second as he ran the score up to 8-3. The junior began the third period down and quickly escaped to make the score 9-3. K. Borshoff scored one final takedown later in the period and locked in a figure four on Stinnett to score three back points. With riding time advantage, K. Borshoff took the major decision, 15-3.

Maryland one both the 157 lbs. and 165 lbs. bouts. 157-pounder Kyle John defeated Patrick Graham, 3-1. Graham shot in on John late in the third period but could not score the takedown before time expired. Christopher Stout also lost a close decision at 165 lbs., falling to Brian Letters, 8-5. Stout brought the score to within one in the third period, 6-5, but a double-leg by Letters secured the victory.

Cannon won his 25th straight match at 174 lbs. over Bradley Nielson, 18-7, to remain unbeaten on the year. Cannon went on top 4-1 in the first period with two takedowns and built up 2:37 of riding time before the period ended. Cannon began the second down and escaped before connecting on two shots to push his advantage to 9-3. In the third period Cannon scored four takedowns as he looked to score bonus points for the team and with riding time advantage took the match easily, 18-7.

Andy Semple made it two in a row for the Eagles with a 4-2 decision at 184 lbs. over Chris Lloyd. Lloyd went on top first in the match with a takedown in the first period but an escape by Semple cloesd his deficit to 2-1. Semple began the second period on top and rode out the period to take 1:08 of riding time into the third. The wrestlers began the final period neutral where Semple scored his only takedown of the match. Semple remained in control of Lloyd for the remainder of the period and with riding time advantage took the decision, 4-2.

The Terps closed out the night with victories at 197 lbs. and heavyweight to lock up the team victory. No. 10 Hudson Taylor pinned Andrew Silber at the 1:59 mark of the first period for the only fall of the night and Patrick Gilmore won by major decision over Quinton Pruett at heavyweight, 10-2.

The loss drops AU's overall record to 11-5 on the year and 4-1 at home.

The Eagles will return to action tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. against Bucknell. Five Eagles will be honored prior to the match as part of special senior day celebrations. Tickets to tomorrow's dual are still available and can be purchased online by clicking here or by calling (202) 885-TIXX.

American 11, Maryland 26
125 - Brendan Byrne (MD) dec. Thomas Williams (AU), 6-5, 0-3
133 - No. 11 Steven Bell (MD) maj. dec. Jasen Borshoff (AU), 13-5, 0-7
141 - No. 11 Alex Krom (MD) dec. Matt Mariacher (AU), 8-5, 0-10
149 - No. 12 Kyle Borshoff (AU) maj. dec. Chris Stinnett (MD), 15-3, 4-10
157 - Kyle John (MD) dec. Patrick Graham (AU), 3-1, 4-13
165 - Brian Letters (MD) dec. Christopher Stout (AU), 8-5, 16-4
174 - No. 2 Mike Cannon (AU) maj. dec. Bradley Nielson (MD), 18-7, 8-16
184 - Andy Semple (AU) dec. Chris Lloyd (MD), 4-2, 11-16
197 - No. 10 Hudson Taylor (MD) fall Andrew Silber (AU), 1:59, 11-22
HWT - Patrick Gilmore (MD) maj. dec. Quinton Pruett (AU), 10-2, 11-26