FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Posting the most team points in seven years, American University wrestling cruised to a 41-3 victory at EIWA foe Sacred Heart on Wednesday afternoon. The Eagles (3-4) came away with nine victories including four pins and two major decisions against the Pioneers (0-7).

Notable

• The victory marked quite a turnaround from a year ago, when the Eagles lost 17-16 to Sacred Heart at home in their season opener.
• The Eagles' four pins came from sophomore Maximilian Leete (125), freshman Raymond Lopez (141), redshirt freshman Lucas White (174) and redshirt junior Will Jarrell (HWT). 
• It was the fifth pin of the season for Leete, who set the tone with his win over Benny Herrerra in 3:28. He already had a 5-0 lead at the time.
• Sophomore Jack Maida (133) had the unique challenge of facing a former teammate in Andy Fallon, who transferred to Sacred Heart prior to the season. Maida and Fallon each scored just one escape in regulation and were scoreless in sudden victory. Finally, in the first tiebreaker, Maida got a second escape point and held strong to come away with a 2-1 victory.
• Competing two weight classes higher than his usual 125, and one above his weigh-in, Lopez had no trouble with the Pioneers' Seth Brown, pinning the grad student in 2:12 after an early takedown.
• The only loss of the day for AU was a hard-fought one by sophomore Antonio Segura at 149 pounds, as he took senior Matt Laurie to sudden victory before falling 5-3.
• Redshirt sophomore Jack Nies (157) got three more points for AU with an 8-4 come-from-behind victory over grad student Nick Palumbo. Nies trailed 3-1 after two periods, but scored a reversal, penalty and got four near fall points in the third.
• Three takedowns and a four-point near fall got freshman Caleb Campos an easy victory at 165 pounds as he took down Brandon Teresa by a score of 13-1 for a major decision.
• White made quick work of junior Ryan Bolletino, earning his second pin of the season in 2:04 when he already had a 4-0 lead.
• Grad student Colin Shannon put AU over 30 points with a 15-2 major decision against Hunter Perez at 184 pounds. Shannon scored three takedowns, a reversal, four near fall points and had well over five minutes of riding time.
• The Eagles kept it rolling with a win by redshirt junior Connor Bourne at 197, as he took down Nick Copley by a score of 7-2.
• In the final bout of the day at heavyweight, Jarrell posted his fourth pin of the season in less than two minutes, defeating Matthew Walker in 1:56 after already leading 6-0.
• American was also victorious in three extra countable matches. Redshirt senior Patrick Ryan (141) won by 17-2 technical fall, while sophomores Carsten Rawls and Breon Phifer both pinned Michel Ritacco.

Thoughts from Head Coach Jason Borrelli

• "It felt like the first time this year that we acted and demonstrated the expectation to dominate, and that's so important. We've thought we could win, and we've hoped to win (and have won a couple), but this trip the attitude has been a lot different. We showed a lot of passion and enthusiasm and we expected to dominate. When you have that mindset, and the energy is high, you can get that result. Our guys had a bad taste in their mouth for the past year after losing to Sacred Heart at home when we shouldn't have, and they really wanted to send the right message today. We were able to bring the whole team, and that kind of help and support brings another element of excitement to it. This was the first time I've really felt this kind of energy since coaching here. On this road trip, the guys have been doing all the little things right, and when you're doing the little things, you can execute the big things. We talk about being an exciting team and we were that team today."

Results vs. Sacred Heart

• 125 - Maximilian Leete (AU) pinned Benny Herrerra (SHU), 3:28 (AU, 6-0)
• 133 - Jack Maida (AU) dec. Andy Fallon (SHU), 2-1 TB1 (AU, 9-0)
• 141 - Raymond Lopez (AU) pinned Seth Brown (SHU), 2:12 (AU 15-0)
• 149 - Matt Laurie (SHU) dec. Antonio Segura (AU), 5-3 SV (AU 15-3)
• 157 - Jack Nies (AU) dec. Nick Palumbo (SHU), 8-4 (AU 18-3)
• 165 - Caleb Campos (AU) major dec. Brandon Teresa (SHU), 13-1 (AU 22-3)
• 174 - Lucas White (AU) pinned Ryan Bolletino (SHU), 2:04 (AU 28-3)
• 184 - Colin Shannon (AU) major dec. Hunter Perez (SHU), 15-2 (AU 32-3)
• 197 - Connor Bourne (AU) dec. Nick Copley (SHU), 7-2 (AU 35-3)
• HWT - Will Jarrell (AU) pinned Matthew Walker (SHU), 1:56 (AU 41-3)

Extra Countable Matches

• 149 - Patrick Ryan (AU) tech. fall Dakota Asuncion (SHU), 17-2 (5:40)
• 184 - Carsten Rawls (AU) pinned Owen Ayotte (SHU), 3:45
• 165 - Breon Phifer (AU) pinned Michel Ritacco (SHU), 3:14

Next Up

• The Eagles will wrestle at EIWA foe Hofstra at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, to complete competition for the calendar year.

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