The Saint Patrick wrestlers lost both ends of a triangular meet last Friday, falling to East Suburban Catholic Conference rivals Marist and Carmel. The Shamrocks are now 10-13 in dual meets so far this season.

In their first match the Shamrocks faced the Redhawks of Marist. Marist took the first two matches for a 7-0 lead, before Jon Schiewe scored a pin at 135 lbs to make it 7-6. Joe Rau lost a 6-4 decision, and Joe Romano took an 11-6 decision, and Matt Ortega won a 14-0 major decision to put the Shamrocks ahead 13-10. The Redhawks then won seven of the final eight bouts, with the lone exception being a forfeit at 103 lbs. Included in that Marist run was a 3-2 decision by John Shoen over defending state champion, Joe Fagiano, at 215 lbs. The loss snapped Fagiano’s winning streak at 54 matches. Fagiano hadn’t lost a match since last year’s Dvorak Invitational. Shoen, who finished second in the state at189 lbs last year, scored an escape and a takedown in the second period for a 3-0 lead at the end of two. Fagiano started down in the third period, and he was able to escape, but he was never able to take Shoen down. Shoen was penalized a point for stalling, making the final score 3-2.

In their next match, the Shamrocks took on the Corsairs of Carmel. Jimmy DiNino and Schiewe quickly pinned their opponents, and Rau won a forfeit to make it 18-0 Shamrocks after three bouts. The Corsairs came back, winning the next five bouts to make the score 28-18. Fagiano got back on track, scoring a pin at 2:16 to make it 28-24 Carmel. George Vitzileos dropped a 7-0 decision at 285 lbs, but Anthony Sciaccotta scored eight late points for a major decision victory that pulled the Shamrocks within three points at 31-28. After forfeiting at 112 lbs, the Shamrocks needed to win the final two bouts with at least 10 team points to take the match. Robert Peters fought valiantly, taking a 5-2 lead, but he got pinned in the second period to close out the match. Brian Ridley scored a 5-3 decision in the match’s final bout. The final score was Carmel 43, Saint Patrick 31.

This Friday the Shamrocks host the E.S.C.C. Championships. Marist has won the last 26 E.S.C.C. Wrestling Championships, but it looks like they will face strong challenges by Carmel, Notre Dame and Saint Patrick this season.