11/21/25
 
UNION, NJ – Lackawanna College women's wrestling overcame an early hole to roar back past Kean University for the 25-20 victory in women's wrestling dual action at Harwood Arena on the campus of Kean University on Friday night.
 
The Falcons (2-2) were facing a 15-0 deficit after the first three bouts, thanks to two forfeits and a fall, but Lackawanna rallied behind three-straight victories from Skylar Benninger (Palmyra, PA), Lauren Hill (Tamaqua, PA), and Haylee Fessler (Lansford, PA) at 131, 138, and 145 lbs., respectively, all by fall.
 
The key match came with the Falcons down 15-10 at 145 lbs., with Je'Syah Williams from Kean taking on Fessler. Williams controlled the action through the first two minutes, leading 7-0. Fessler earned a takedown, was reversed, then reversed Williams back onto her shoulders and back, pinning the shoulders to the mat at 2:23 in the first period to tie the meet at 15-15.
 
After another forfeit put the Falcons down 20-15 heading into 180 lbs., it was Michelle Pastuizaca (Nanticoke, PA) that earned another huge win for Lackawanna, as she controlled her bout and turned Aylin Calle of Kean over for the pin at 1:18 in the first round to tie the bout back up at 20-all. Lackawanna would then win via the forfeit at 207 lbs., earning Hailey Schumaker (Center Valley, PA) the forfeit win and giving the Falcons the team dual win.
 
After back-to-back forfeits to start the match, Mary Henry (Athens, PA) was defeated at 124 lbs., then putting the Falcons in a 15-0 hole. That brought up Benninger, wrestling up at 131, and she would start the important streak for the visitors. Benninger reversed control from Kean's Nina Lojano and earned a victory by fall at 1:04 in the first period to get the Falcons on the board, down 15-5. Next up, Hill took on Celine Asare, who tried to flip Hill early. Lauren kept her balance, spun to gain control, then earned the fall victory at 0:34 to get it within five at 15-10, setting up Fessler's big bout win.
 
Lackawanna College women's wrestling is now off until Sunday, December 7^th, when the Falcons are scheduled to compete in the Muhlenberg Novice Tournament at Muhlenberg College. That event is set to start at 10:00am inside Deitrich Fieldhouse.
 
Full Dual Results vs. Kean University
103 – Daphne Edwards (KU) wins via forfeit                                        (5-0 KU)
110 – Gianna DeThomas (KU) wins via forfeit                                      (10-0 KU)
117 – Double Forfeit (No Bout)                                                             (10-0 KU)
124 – Kaydence Oakley (KU) def. Mary Henry (LC) via fall (0:53)    (15-0 KU)
131 – Skylar Benninger (LC) def. Nina Lojano (KU) via fall (1:04)    (15-5 KU)
138 – Lauren Hill (LC) def. Celine Asare (KU) via fall (0:34)              (15-10 KU)
145 – Haylee Fessler (LC) def. Je'Syah Williams (KU) via fall (2:23) (15-15)
160 – Kaylee Borge (KU) wins via forfeit                                               (20-15 KU)
180 – Michelle Pastuizaca (LC) def. Aylin Calle (KU) via fall (1:18) (20-20)
207 – Hailey Schumaker (LC) wins via forfeit                                       (25-20 LC)
Final Score: LC 25 – 20 KU
 
Exhibition
160 – Kaylee Borge (KU) def Mallory Smith (LC) via fall (0:07)