Sophomore Joe Yanis registered a third period pin and junior Matt Caccamise a technical fall, but Brockport fell to visiting RIT 23-17 after the team honored two seniors prior to the final home match.
Yanis entered the third period tied 3-3 in the 184 lb. bout before using a spin move for a fall in 6:35 that briefly tied the match 17-17.
“A lot of emotions, it’s RIT, 15 minutes away and a home rivalry,” Yanis said. “At that point we were down and I knew what I needed to do. I just hipped-in and knew in the back of my head I had to keep going for my team.
“We have a great team and are always learning. If you would have told me we would be 8-0 (heading into the match) this season I would have said you’re crazy, but right now we’re a young team coming back stronger. Finish strong at the Regionals and come back strong next year.”
Earlier Caccamise, ranked fifth in the nation, racked up nine second-period points on his way to a 19-3 technical fall at 125 lb.
Sophomore Elijah Sims had four points in the second and third periods to win 8-3 at 141 lb. and Austin Reed squeezed a takedown just prior to the second period horn on his way to a 6-3 victory at 149 lb.
Brockport’s roster features 14 freshmen, ten sophomores and four upperclassmen with only two of those four wrestling in this match.
The team honored senior Jon Lauricella and senior assistant coach Jordan Kayes, out with an injury, prior to their final home match.
