PEMBROKE, N.C. (Feb. 6, 2015) - Despite back-to-back wins via pinfall from sophomore Tyler Walsh (West Islip, N.Y.) and freshman Joe Calderone (Huntington Station, N.Y.) to start the match, the LIU Post wrestling team lost a 24-15 decision to No. 20 UNC Pembroke on Friday at the English E. Jones Center.

Walsh pinned freshman Josh Brown (Durham, N.C.) in 4:05 at the 125-lb. weight class, while Calderone accomplished the same feat in 1:16 against sophomore Cole Murray (North Port, Fla.) at 133.

Though the Pioneers (2-13) held a commanding 12-0 lead after two bouts, the Braves (10-3) rallied to win the dual by taking seven of the final eight matches. The last victory of the evening for the green and gold, however, occurred at 184. Freshman Ronnie King (Islip, N.Y.) defeated red-shirt sophomore Mikey Thomas (Burlington, N.C.), 3-2.

LIU Post put forth a hard-fought effort in its losses though. Junior Jesse Meaney (Toms River, N.J.) dropped a 4-0 decision at 141 to Daniel Ownbey (Asheville, N.C.), the No. 2 ranked wrestler in his weight class in Division II. One bout later, freshman Matt Langan (Wantagh, N.Y.) was edged at 149 by Hayden Fry (Vacaville, Calif.), 8-6.

In the 157-lb. weight class, red-shirt freshman Jackson Mordente (Farmingville, N.Y.) lost by a 3-1 count to Reggie Allen (Pace, Fla.). Lastly, at 197, freshman Jake Horton (Medford, N.Y.) took his opponent, Stuart Nadeau (Hampstead, N.C.), to overtime, but was taken down for a 4-2 defeat in the opening sudden victory period.

Head Coach Joe Patrovich and the Pioneers return to the mat Saturday (Feb. 7), when they wrap up play at UNC Pembroke against Anderson (S.C.) and Ferrum. The matches are slated for 12:30 and 2 p.m. starts, respectively.

LIU Post 15, No. 20 UNC Pembroke 24