DOYLESTOWN (PA) – For the second straight day, it all came down to the end for Delaware Valley College against a nationally-ranked opponent, but, this time, it was 10^th-ranked Ithaca College that pulled out an 18-14 triumph over the No. 8 Aggies.
 
The Bombers improved to 8-2 while Delaware Valley fell to 9-3.
 
On Friday evening, Delaware Valley rallied from a 15-6 deficit to win four straight weight classes and notch a 21-15 triumph over No. 28 SUNY Cortland. Less than 24 hours later, the Aggies were again down 15-6 and a pair of major decisions and a decision made it a 15-14 deficit with one weight class to go.
 
That match was at 125 pounds where Delaware Valley's nationally-ranked Connor Kirkegard (19-6, ranked ninth in Division III) battled Jimmy Kaishian (25-5). After a scoreless first period, Kirkegard escaped from Kaishian 14 seconds into the second for the 1-0 advantage. Thirty-five seconds later, it was Kaishian with the takedown and he rode Kirkegard the rest of the period. With 1:25 of riding time, Kaishian chose to start the third in the neutral position and Kirkegard could not get in for a takedown. Kaishian added a takedown with two seconds to go and had the riding time for an extra point, a 5-1 decision and an Ithaca victory.
 
The contest started at 133 where third-ranked Alex Gomez of Ithaca (13-1) held a 7-1, second-period lead over Zac Haynes (20-5). Haynes, who clinched Friday's victory for Delaware Valley, battled back with an escape and a takedown and then nearly pinned Gomez, receiving three points for the near fall to tie it at 7-7. Gomez picked up a reversal but Haynes added a third-period takedown for the 9-9 score. However, another reversal by Gomez and riding time resulted in a 12-9 decision.
 
It was the first of seven straight matches that were decided by no more than five points. Sixth-ranked Nick Wahba (20-5) had two takedowns, an escape and riding time for a 6-3 decision over Michael Caldwell (7-9) at 141 for a 6-0 Bombers lead.   
 
Delaware Valley got its first points at 149 pounds, but it wasn't easy as top-ranked Vinny Fava needed a takedown 24 seconds into overtime for a 6-4 victory over Eamonn Gaffney (24-7). The win improved Fava to 18-2 on the season.
 
The Aggies then tied the match at 157 as Jeff Reimel (9-6) rode Kevin Collins (16-5) for the entire second period and that proved to be the difference as riding time gave him a 3-2 decision.
 
Ithaca then picked up decisions in each of the next three weight classes to build its 15-6 advantage. At 165, Nick Velez (26-9) was down 3-2 but had riding time in his favor in the closing seconds. Delaware Valley's Alec Horan (12-6) was then called for locking hands with a second to go, and that technical violation gave Velez a point and, with the riding time, a 4-3 victory.
 
Jaison White (20-10) followed with a 9-4 decision over Ben Schweiger (18-5) at 174 pounds while Carlos Toribio (6-0) followed with a 5-0 shutout over Connor Gabriel (16-10) at 184 for the nine-point Bombers lead.
 
Delaware Valley sent a pair of All-Americans and ranked wrestlers onto the mat for 197 pounds and heavyweight and each of them recoded 10-2 major decisions to make it a 15-14 score. First, two-time All-American and second-ranked Aaron Karns improved to 23-3 and he notched four takedowns, an escape and riding time in his triumph over Greg DuVall (15-11).
 
Fourth-ranked Zach Roseberry, who placed fourth at nationals as a rookie last year, won for the 24^th time in 27 matches this season and he had three takedowns, a two-point near fall, an escape and riding time for his win over Dan Glinko (15-11).
 
That set the stage for 125 pounds and Kaishaian's heroics for Ithaca.
  
ITHACA COLLEGE 18, DELAWARE VALLEY COLLEGE 14
133 – Alex Gomer (Ithaca) by decision over Zac Haynes, 12-9 (3-0 Ithaca)
141 – Nick Wahba (Ithaca) by decision over Michael Caldwell, 6-2 (6-0 Ithaca)
149 – Vinny Fava (DelVal) by decision over Eamonn Gaffney, 6-4 SV (6-3 Ithaca)
157 – Jeff Reimel (DelVal) by decision over Kevin Collins, 3-2 (6-6)
165 – Nick Velez (Ithaca) by decision over Alec Horan, 4-3 (9-6 Ithaca)
174 – Jaison White (Ithaca) by decision over Ben Schweiger, 9-5 (12-6 Ithaca)
184 – Carlos Toribio (Ithaca) by decision over Connor Gabriel, 5-0 (15-6 Ithaca)
197 – Aaron Karns (DelVal) by major decision over Greg DuVall, 10-2 (15-10 Ithaca)
285 – Zach Roseberry (DelVal) by major decision over Dan Glinko, 10-2 (15-14 Ithaca)
125 – Jimmy Kaishian (Ithaca) by decision over Connor Kirkegard, 5-1 (18-14 Ithaca)
* Match began at 133 pounds