WPI 21, Springfield 15

Worcester, MA --- 197-pounder Adam Kreitman (Salem, NH) and heavyweight Anthony Corbo (Port Washington, NY) each won narrow decisions in the final two bouts of the night to help WPI upset visiting Springfield 21-15 in a New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) meet on Wednesday evening.  The win, which was the first-ever for WPI over the Pride in 11 tries, also marked the first collegiate coaching victory for Engineer head coach Lance Baden.

WPI (1-1) jumped out to a quick 9-0 advantage when Carl Anderson (Billerica, MA), Jeff Root (Milford, CT) and Will Farrell (Franklin, MA) all captured decisions at 125, 133 and 141 pounds respectively.   The Pride got back in the contest when Jeremy Adickes (Long Valley, NJ) notched a pin at 149 pounds but the Engineers scored a key victory at 157 when Tyler Howe (Danbury, CT) registered a 9-3 decision over a regionally ranked opponent.

Springfield (0-1) closed to within 12-9 after New England #1 ranked Jake Tyler (Gouverneur, NY) took home a hard-earned 5-3 decision at 165 pounds.  WPI's John Gikas (North Andover, MA) then won arguably the most exciting bout of the night when he rallied for two points in the final seconds which, along with a point for riding time, forced sudden victory.  Midway through the extra session Gikas scored a takedown and near fall to take a dramatic 10-6 win.   

The victory put WPI up 15-9 but that advantage was short-lived as SC's other number ranked one regionally ranked wrestler, Elliot Smith (Richville, NY) tallied a pin in just over a minute.   That set the stage for heroics from Kreitman and Corbo, who both broke 1-1 ties with third-period scoring moves.

Both teams return to the mats on Saturday.  WPI travels to Oneonta, NY for a quad-meet with Oneonta State , Johnson & Wales and Wilkes while Springfield ventures to Vermont to face Norwich.