SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Norwich University men's wrestling team earned a split during a pair of duals at Springfield College on Saturday afternoon, battling the host Pride in a 29-16 setback before bouncing back with a decisive 37-13 victory over New England College.
Norwich collected five individual victories against Springfield before winning seven of 10 bouts against NEC, with six of those seven victories against the Pilgrims producing bonus points.
Junior Ben Fournier (Hebron, Conn.) opened his afternoon with one of the closest bouts of the Springfield dual, edging Peter Annis by a 4-3 decision at 125 pounds to hand Norwich the first three team points of the matchup.
Springfield answered with a fall at 133 before junior Billy Burke (Palmer, Mass.) responded for the Cadets at 141. Burke controlled his matchup with Sean Callahan, earning a 9-3 decision to draw Norwich even with the Pride at 6-6.
Springfield regained the team lead with a fall at 149, but freshman James Lally (North Andover, Mass.) delivered one of the afternoon's most dramatic results at 157.
Lally and Daniel Greaney needed extra time before the Norwich rookie emerged with an 8-5 sudden-victory decision, cutting the Springfield advantage to 12-9.
Following another Pride victory at 165, freshman Jordon Sonon-Hale (Mascoutah, Ill.) kept Norwich within striking distance at 174 pounds.
Sonon-Hale battled Nick Piatti through a tight bout and held on for a 6-5 decision, bringing the Cadets within six points at 18-12.
Springfield created separation with victories at 184 and 197 before junior Rory Nolan (Wadsworth, Ohio) closed the dual with another strong heavyweight performance.
Nolan earned a 16-3 major decision over Wyatt Sisco at 285, giving Norwich four additional team points and establishing the final 29-16 margin.
The Cadets quickly shifted momentum in their second dual of the afternoon.
Norwich 37, New England College 13
Fournier completed a perfect 2-0 day with another decision at 125, defeating Tyler Biesinger, 8-5, to give Norwich an immediate lead.
Junior Robby Lyons (Milford, Mass.) followed with Norwich's first bonus-point victory at 133, earning a fall over Patrick Hughes.
New England College answered with victories at 141 and 149, but Norwich seized control through the middle and upper weights.
Lally collected his second win of the afternoon at 157, pinning Joe Gangi to add six team points to the Cadet total.
Freshman Jeremiah Johnson (Cary, N.C.) followed with a fall of his own at 165 against Dominic Demaio, giving Norwich back-to-back pins.
NEC responded at 174 before sophomore Joseph Menkello (Burlington, Mass.) turned in a dominant performance at 184.
Menkello blanked Jaxon Carter, 15-0, for a technical fall and five more Norwich team points.
Freshman Ethan Patch (Middletown Springs, Vt.) kept the bonus-point run going at 197, securing a fall over Dillon Nelson.
Nolan then punctuated the dual at heavyweight, completing his own 2-0 afternoon with an 18-3 technical fall over Brandon Lavasta.
Fournier, Lally, and Nolan each went undefeated across Norwich's two duals, while Lally and Nolan collected victories against both Springfield and New England College. Fournier earned a pair of decisions, including the one-point victory in the opening dual.
Norwich also received important production from Burke and Sonon-Hale against Springfield, while Lyons, Johnson, Menkello, and Patch all delivered bonus-point victories in the win over NEC.
SPRINGFIELD DUAL RESULTS:
- Junior Ben Fournier (Hebron, Conn.)
- 125: Win by decision, 4-3
- Junior Robby Lyons (Milford, Mass.)
- Junior Billy Burke (Palmer, Mass.)
- 141: Win by decision, 9-3
- Junior Aidan Morgan (Wellington, Fla.)
- Freshman James Lally (North Andover, Mass.)
- 157: Win by sudden-victory decision, 8-5
- Freshman Jeremiah Johnson (Cary, N.C.)
- Freshman Jordon Sonon-Hale (Mascoutah, Ill.)
- 174: Win by decision, 6-5
- Sophomore Joseph Menkello (Burlington, Mass.)
- 184: Loss by technical fall, 21-6
- Freshman Ethan Patch (Middletown Springs, Vt.)
- Junior Rory Nolan (Wadsworth, Ohio)
- 285: Win by major decision, 16-3
NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE DUAL RESULTS:
- Junior Ben Fournier (Hebron, Conn.)
- 125: Win by decision, 8-5
- Junior Robby Lyons (Milford, Mass.)
- Junior Aidan Morgan (Wellington, Fla.)
- 141: Loss by major decision, 14-6
- Junior Billy Burke (Palmer, Mass.)
- 149: Loss by technical fall, 17-1
- Freshman James Lally (North Andover, Mass.)
- Freshman Jeremiah Johnson (Cary, N.C.)
- Freshman Jordon Sonon-Hale (Mascoutah, Ill.)
- 174: Loss by major decision, 11-1
- Sophomore Joseph Menkello (Burlington, Mass.)
- 184: Win by technical fall, 15-0
- Freshman Ethan Patch (Middletown Springs, Vt.)
- Junior Rory Nolan (Wadsworth, Ohio)
- 285: Win by technical fall, 18-3
Norwich will return to Springfield College next Saturday, Nov. 21, for the Doug Parker Invitational. Competition is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m.
