SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- After spotting the Ashland Eagles a 9-0 lead, Notre Dame won seven straight bouts to defeat AU, 27-9, on Monday night at Murphy Gymnasium.

With the win, the No. 1-ranked Falcons (NAIA Coaches' Poll) are now 3-1 in dual meets this year.

“Winning is always good,” said Head Coach #Frank Romano#. “And tonight we had a couple kids wrestling up a weight class, and their bouts were big for us. They came through.”

Ashland opened up the match with Tyler Houska defeating #Orlando Scales# in the heavyweight bout. Houska won by a 9-6 decision to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead.

Close losses by #Dante Rini# (125) and #Brian Dean# (133) ran the Eagles' lead to 9-0 before Notre Dame got on the board with a forfeit to top-ranked #Adam Koballa# at 141. After that, the Blue & White rattled off six straight wins, culminating with a #Derek Foore# (197) pin in the final bout of the night.

NDC's consecutive wins were earned by Koballa, #Ashtin Primus# (149), #Jeffrey Pelton# (157), #Thomas Straughn# (165), #John Bittenger# (174), #Alex Denman# (184) and Foore. Six of Notre Dame's seven wins were earned by ranked grapplers. Three of the victories were by two points or less.

Foore's pin, his seventh of the season, came in 2:38. He is now 14-0 this season, tied for the team lead in victories with Koballa (14-2). In the last NAIA Coaches' Poll, the junior transfer from Eastern Michigan was ranked No. 8 at 197.

Despite the win on their home mat, Frank Romano won't let Foore or anyone else on the team become complacent: “There's always room to improve technique.”

Notre Dame will return to the mat on Sunday, Dec. 20, with another home dual - 1 p.m. tilt against West Virginia Tech.


NOTES FROM THE NEST …

STREAKS ALIVE: In addition to Foore remaining undefeated on the season, Jeffrey Pelton did likewise Monday night. Pelton downed Hunter Pool in a 12-6 decision and is now 11-0 this season. … John Bittenger also extended a streak - he has won seven consecutive bouts. … Dante Rini's loss, a 5-3 overtime affair, marked his first of the year. He came into the night with a 5-0 mark. Rini's loss came at the hands of AU's Brandon Davis, who is now 14-2 on the year.

HOME-MAT MAGIC: With their win Monday, NDC is now 5-2 in seven collegiate matches at home. The Falcons are slated to host four more dual meets this season.

GENE, GENE, THE WRESTLING MACHINE: NDC Wrestling supporter and fan Gene Weiss was honored by the College Monday night for his contributions to the program. Weiss received a special plaque midway through the 10 bouts against the Eagles.

No. 1 Notre Dame 27, Ashland 9
Dec. 14, 2009 - Murphy Gymnasium

125: Brandon Davis (AU) dec. No. 3 Dante Rini (NDC), 5-3 OT [AU 6, NDC 0]
133: Jacob Garringer (AU) dec. Brian Dean (NDC), 3-2 [AU 9, NDC 0]
141: No. 1 Adam Koballa (NDC) by forfeit [AU 9, NDC 6]
149: No. 9 Ashtin Primus (NDC) dec. TJ Rigel (AU), 7-5 [AU 9, NDC 9]
157: No. 3 (149) Jeffrey Pelton (NDC) dec. Hunter Pool (AU), 12-6 [NDC 12, AU 9]
165: No. 1 Thomas Straughn (NDC) dec. Tony Bradberry (AU), 9-5 [NDC 15, AU 9]
174: John Bittenger (NDC) dec. Tommie Graszl (AU), 2-1 [NDC 18, AU 9]
184: No. 10 Alex Denman (NDC) dec. Justin Cheesman (AU), 3-2 [NDC 21, AU 9]
197: No. 8 Derek Foore (NDC) pinned Josh Grider (AU), 2:38 [NDC 27, AU 9]
HWT: Tyler Houska (AU) dec. Orlando Scales (NDC), 9-6 [AU 3, NDC 0]

Attendance - 146, First bout - HWT
Officials - Joe Papalio and Jody Chesbro