2/3/25
 
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – First-year program Northampton CC picked up its second win of the year with a 30-21 victory over Lackawanna College on Monday night in a match-up with a pair of Region XIX squads.
 
The Falcons (0-1) came into the night with five healthy wrestlers, and earned four wins, including a forfeit victory at 197 lbs., to put the pressure on the Spartans (2-2). Edward Lauritsen (Brodheadsville, PA) picked up a technical fall victory at 125 lbs. to get the dual underway, then, after a forfeit win for Northampton at 133, the Falcons won a major decision from Matt Gashi-Brito (Fairfax, VA) at 141 lbs. to take a 9-6 lead.
 
The dual itself was more-or-less decided in the bout at 149 lbs., with Northampton's Derek Cruz picking up the win against John Almonte (Scranton, PA) via fall two minutes into the first period. That pin, coupled with forfeit victories at 133, 157, 174, and 184, was enough to send the Spartans to the win.
 
The Falcons did get a fall victory from Connor Ondek (Scranton, PA) at 165 lbs., winning with a pin at the 1:52 mark in the first period. But, the rest of the weights were forfeit victories, with the Falcons pickup at a forfeit win at 197 lbs., and both teams forfeiting the HWT spot.
 
In exhibition action, Lauritsen took on Northampton's Tony Morello, listed at 133 lbs. Morello won via fall at 1:29 in the first period. Almonte took on Cesar Acosta at 149 lbs., and Acosta pinned Almonte at 25 seconds for the win. Adan Salazar (Scranton, PA) got his chance, taking on 184 lbs. wrestler Luke Velekei in the final exhibition, with Velekei earning the fall at 1:55.
 
The Falcons get right back to work in duals action this weekend, as Lackawanna will compete at the U of S Duals at the University of Scranton on Saturday, February 8^th. The first round of duals will start at 11:00am ET inside the John Long Center at Scranton.
 
Lackawanna vs. Northampton CC Wrestling Results (2-3-25)
 
125 lbs. – Edward Lauritsen (LC) def. Jaden Figueroa (NCC) via tech. fall (18-3); LC 5 – 0 NCC
133 lbs. – Tony Morello (NCC) wins via forfeit; NCC 6 – 5 LC
141 lbs. – Matt Gashi-Brito (LC) def. Diego Dominguez (NCC) via major decision (13-0); LC 9 – 6 NCC
149 lbs. – Derek Cruz (NCC) def. John Almonte (LC) via fall at 2:00; NCC 12 – 9 LC
157 lbs. – Xavier Arner (NCC) wins via forfeit; NCC 18 – 9 LC
165 lbs. – Connor Ondek (LC) def. Wilgen Santos (NCC) via fall at 1:52; NCC 18 – 15 LC
174 lbs. – Victor Chapman (NCC) wins via forfeit; NCC 24 – 15 LC
184 lbs. – Luke Velekei (NCC) wins via forfeit; NCC 30 – 15 LC
197 lbs. – Adan Salazar (LC) wins via forfeit; NCC 30 – 21 LC
HWT – Double forfeit; NCC 30 – 21 LC
 
FINAL: Northampton CC 30 – 21 Lackawanna College
 
Exhibitions:
133 lbs. – Tony Morello (NCC) def. Edward Lauritsen (LC) by fall at 1:29
149 lbs. – Cesar Acosta (NCC) def. John Almonte (LC) by fall at 0:25
197 lbs. – Luke Velekei (NCC) def. Adan Salazar (LC) by fall at 1:55