PRESCOTT, Ariz. – No. 20 Mountaineer Men's Wrestling picked up their first top-20 win of the season Saturday evening with a 36-15 road victory over No. 18 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.). The victory improves Eastern Oregon's dual record 6-3 overall and 4-2 in conference action.

For the second night in a row, the Mountaineers picked up seven wins out of the 10 bouts, with three being by way of forfeit. The Eagles (5-2, 4-2 CCC) three wins were by way two falls and a decision. With the win, EOU has now won each of its last two match-ups against the Eagles.

The night started with Eastern earning an easy six points as Luciano Fasulo won via forfeit at 125 pounds. The Eagles quickly tied the dual at 6-6 as Zach Mauras was pinned at 133 pounds. EOU answered, going up 12-6 thanks to a pin from Chad Muenzer at 141 pounds.

At 149 pounds, Jaxon Morlan came up on the short end of a 10-6 decision. The three points got Embry-Riddle within three of EOU, 12-9, but they never retook the lead and mustered just one more win the rest of the match.

Malakai Moyer extended the Mountaineers' lead to 18-9 with a victory by way of pin at 157 pounds. The Eagles' final win came at 165 pounds as John Bittinger was pinned. The victory kept Embry-Riddle in the contest, 18-15, but the rest of the evening dual was controlled by EOU.

Keegan Muhill and Kyle Knudtson both picked up forfeit wins at 174 and 184 pounds, respectively. The 12 points by EOU pushed its lead to 30-15. Jay Smith extended the lead to 33-15 with an 8-4 decision. Noel Orozco closed the dual out the same way he did the night before with a shutout. He scored a 3-0 decision at 285 pounds to bring the final score to 36-15.

The Mountaineers are back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 12 when they take on Corban University in a neutral site dual. EOU and the Warriors will face off in Pendleton, Ore. with mat action beginning at 7 p.m. PT. EOU's dual against Warner Pacific has been canceled as WPU has put a two-week pause on all athletic events.

No. 20 Eastern Oregon vs. No. 18 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)
125: Luciano Fasulo (EOU) over Unkknown (ERAU) | Forfeit | EOU- 6, ERAU- 0
133: Jacob Seto (ERAU) over Zach Mauras (EOU) | Fall | EOU- 6, ERAU- 6
141: Chad Muenzer (EOU) over Adam Stanley (ERAU) | Fall | EOU- 12, ERAU- 6
149: Beau Blackham (ERAU) over Jaxon Morlan (EOU) | Dec. 10-6 | EOU- 12, ERAU- 9
157: Malakai Moyer (EOU) over Kristopher Darrin (ERAU) | Fall | EOU- 18, ERAU- 9
165: Keller Rock (ERAU) over John Bittinger (EOU) | Fall | EOU- 18, ERAU- 15
174: Keegan Mulhill (EOU) over Unknown (ERAU) | Forfeit | EOU- 24, ERAU- 15
184: Kyle Knudtson (EOU) over Unknown (ERAU) | Forfeit | EOU- 30, ERAU- 15
197: Jay Smith (EOU) over Michael Densmore (ERAU) | Dec. 8-4 | EOU- 33, ERAU- 15
285: Noel Orozco (EOU) over Garrette Branson (ERAU) | Dec. 3-0 | EOU- 36, ERAU- 15

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