EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — Army 141-pounder Matt Kyler\’s bid for a title in his first trip to the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Championships was denied by Lehigh senior Matt Ciasulli Saturday evening in East Stroudsburg University\’s Koehler Field house.
Ciasulli, ranked 19th in the country by InterMat Wrestling, defeated the Cadet freshman 2-0 on a takedown early in the first period.
Kyler, a former Clearfield Area High School standout, chose neutral in the second period, and there was no scoring. Ciasulli took down position in the third period, and Kyler negated riding time but could not score the back points necessary to tie or win the bout.
Ciasulli had beaten Kyler 10-4 in their dual meet bout in February.
\”Matt pretty much got handled the first time they wrestled,\” Army coach Chuck Barbee said. \”This was a tough match. The early takedown allowed Ciasulli to be on top, where he is at his best. Matt showed a lot of poise and focus and wrestled well.\”
Kyler will take a 31-10 record into the NCAA Championships in two weeks at the Palace of Auburn Hills, Mich.