For Immediate Release: January 27, 2008
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton wrestling loses to George Mason 22-15

VESTAL, N.Y. -- Binghamton wrestling (7-9) dropped a narrow 22-15 decision to visiting George Mason (9-3) Sunday at West Gym. The match featured five bouts that were decided by one or two points, but it was a surprise GMU pin at 174 that proved the difference.

With BU trailing 10-0 after dropping the first three matches, senior 149-pound Kyle Fried (Rock Hill, N.Y.), ranked 19th in the nation, started a run of three straight Bearcat wins with a 5-0 decision. It was his eighth win in nine matches this season.

Junior 157-pound Nate Patterson (Ontario, N.Y.) then notched his team-high sixth pin of the season, needing just 2:16 to end his match. He improved to 17-9 overall, 12-4 in duals.

Sophomore 165-pound Brett Nelson (Sarasota, Fla.) then pulled out a dramatic 4-2 overtime decision to pull BU to within one, 10-9. Nelson scored a takedown 34 seconds into overtime.

But in the next match, sophomore 174-pound Josh Patterson (Ontario, N.Y.), ranked 19th in the country, suffered a third-period pin despite owning a 4-2 lead and looking dominant. George Mason then closed out the match with two more wins in the last three bouts.

Freshman 184-pound Matt Berretta (Manorville, N.Y.) picked up BU's other win - a 4-3 decision.

Binghamton next competes at the Ithaca Duals on February 2.

Match Results

George Mason 22, Binghamton 15
125 – Brian Wright (GMU) dec. Tyler Malmberg (BU), 9-7
133 – Joe Coughlin GMU) maj. dec. Mike Kleeman (BU), 15-4
141 – Will Powars (GMU) dec. Ryan McGarity (BU), 8-7
149 – #19 Kyle Fried (BU) dec. Brandon Bucher (GMU), 5-0
157 – Nate Patterson (BU) WBF Jimmy Kaden (GMU), 2:16
165 – Brett Nelson (BU) dec. Greg Scott (GMU), 4-2 (ot)
174 – Randy Oates (GMU) WBF #19 Josh Patterson (BU), 5:41
184 – Matt Berretta (BU) dec. Zach Ulm (GMU), 4-3
197 – #17 Cayle Byers (GMU) dec. Corey Waite (BU), 10-3
285 – Harry Zander (GMU) dec. Mike Patterson (BU), 4-2