GREENVILLE, Pa. -- Despite a late rally, Washington & Jefferson College wrestling team fell short in its comeback attempt Thursday night, falling by a 24-23 margin to host Thiel College in a Presidents' Athletic Conference matchup.

The Tomcats opened the match with a win via tech. fall and then tacked on a pin to build an early 11-0 lead over the Presidents after two matches.

Michael Heinl (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) won by major decision over Hunter Martz at 149 pounds. The senior earned victory by a 14-3 margin to cut the Presidents' deficit to 11-4.

However, the Tomcats tacked on a win by major decision at 157 pounds and then used a pin at 165 pounds to take a commanding 21-4 advantage. W&J was wrestling without nationally ranked Jared Walker (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) at 165 pounds. Walker holds the No. 7 ranking at the weight class in this week's recent d3wrestle.com rankings.

The Presidents ripped off decisive wins in the next three matches to close the gap. Hunter Neely (Cokeburg, Pa./Bentworth) defeated Cameron Prebble by major decision, winning by a 12-2 score at 174 pounds.

Jaden Datz (Ruffs Dale, Pa./Southmoreland) added an 11-5 victory by decision over Dylan Proper at 184 pounds. The Datz victory cut the Thiel lead to 21-11.

Alex Donahue (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) won by fall in 2:54 over Landon Westover at 197 pounds. The victory by Donahue brought the Presidents within four points at 21-17.

Thiel was able to secure the match victory with a win by decision with a 9-5 score at 285 pounds. The Tomcats opted to move their best wrestler, Gage Gladysz, who is listed as an honorable mention in the d3wrestle.com rankings at 197 pounds to compete at 285.

Manny Dovshek (Scenery Hill, Pa./Bentworth) closed the evening with a pin for the Presidents. The sophomore recorded the fall over Brynen Kisiel in 2:21. The Dovshek pin gave the Presidents the final six points to bring the final score to 24-23.

W&J hosts PAC rival Waynesburg for Senior Night on Thursday, Jan. 23. Start time is slated for 7 p.m. at Salvitti Family Gymnasium.
 
Thiel 24, W&J 23
133 – Jake Alberts (Thiel) def. AD Nelson (W&J) by tech. fall 18-2 at 3:52 (Thiel leads 5-0)
141 – Jason Baker (Thiel) def. Vinnie Catania (W&J) by fall - 2:12 (Thiel leads 11-0)
149 – Michael Heinl (W&J) def. Hunter Martz (Thiel) by 14-3 major decision (Thiel leads 11-4)
157 – Austin Bonacci (Thiel) def. Zach Schrott (W&J) by 14-6 major decision (Thiel leads 15-4)
165 – Peyton Hearn (Thiel) def. Raheem Clemons (W&J) by fall – :20 (Thiel leads 21-4)
174 – Hunter Neely (W&J) def. Cameron Prebble (Thiel) by 12-2 major decision (Thiel leads 21-8)
184 – Jaden Datz (W&J) def. Dylan Proper (Thiel) by 11-5 decision (Thiel leads 21-11)
197 – Alex Donahue (W&J) def. Landon Westover (Thiel) by fall – 2:54 (Thiel leads 21-17)
285 – Gage Gladysz (Thiel) def. Jake Walker (W&J) by 9-5 decision (Thiel leads 24-17)
125 – Manny Dovshek (W&J) def. Brynen Kisiel (Thiel) by fall – 2:21 (Thiel leads 24-23)