February 12, 2008

New Brunswick, NJ (UWIRE) -- The Rutgers wrestling team honored their former Head Coach John Sacchi while hosting American Sunday. The Scarlet Knights won six out of ten bouts to oust the Eagles 28-13. The former Scarlet Knight coach helped inspire the Scarlet Knights to their fifth EIWA conference win of the year.

After receiving a forfeit at 125 pounds, the Scarlet Knights dropped two straight matches. Sophomore Jack Barrett put the Knights back on the winning track earning a major decision over Chris Clarke at 149 pounds. After Barrett picked up some bonus points for the Knights, the Eagles soared back by winning the next two contests. At this point the Eagles were ahead 13-10 and poised to take the meet. Then the Scarlet Knights rallied to win four straight bouts including two bonus point victories.

First-year Knights head coach Scott Goodale had mixed emotions about the match. "I was actually disappointed with today's match because I thought we could have competed better. We had a chance to beat nationally ranked wrestlers but we didn't pull it off. But that's the sport, and we did a good job from 174-pounds and up to earn the victory," Goodale said in a statement.

Even though Goodale was not pleased with his team's victory, he did receive some big individual performances from Mike Whalen, Keith Dobish and Lamar Brown. With the outcome of the match still in doubt, Mike Whalen came through with a technical fall over Jonathan Powell. Keith Dobish also had a big day getting a victory at 184 with a 15-4 major decision over Brooks Keefer. Then with a chance to wrap up the victory, Lamar Brown came through and sealed the win for the Knights with a 9-3 decision over Andy Semple. The Knights then received another forfeit at heavyweight to finalize the score at 28-13.

American was forced to forfeit two weight classes (125,285) to the Scarlet Knights. This allowed the Scarlet Knights to pull away with the victory. Along with forfeiting two weight classes, the Eagles also did not have their returning national champion Josh Glenn. Even though American put themselves at a disadvantage to pull away with the victory, the Scarlet Knights were very opportunistic while pulling away with the win while honoring their past Head Coach John Sacchi.

Now that the Scarlet Knights are back on the winning track, they will look to improve their conference record this Friday at College Ave. Gym against the Navy Midshipmen. This EIWA conference showdown will start at 7 p.m. and admission is free to the public.

(C) 2008 Daily Targum via UWIRE