LANCASTER, Pa. – Despite each team winning five matches Friday evening, the Virginia Military Institute wrestling team fell 20-16 in a furious comeback bid over host Franklin & Marshall College.

The Keydets (0-1) claimed victory over the final five bouts, but the Diplomats (1-0) had collected enough bonus points in the early weights to hold on for the win at the Mayser Center.

VMI began its rally at 165 pounds as rookie Mark Darr collected an 8-2 victory over Colin Lahiff. The match came as Darr’s first career dual-match win as the Keydets opened their 2012-13 dual season.

The rally continued at 174 pounds as John Dommert edged Adam Schroeder 5-3, picking up three team points for VMI. Dommert’s victory was followed shortly by sophomore Jonathan Jones at 184 pounds. The third classman picked up four points toward the Keydets’ cause with a 16-4 major decision over Bradley Bailey, cutting the deficit in half, 20-10 in favor of the Diplomats.

At 197 pounds, Urayoan Garcia did his part with an 8-4 decision, besting Isaiah Cromwell and posting another trio of team points for the Keydets. But the rally would fall short, as the 20-point deficit midway through the match proved to be VMI’s downfall.

Despite his team being unable to earn the win, junior heavyweight Juan Adams picked up a gutsy 4-2 sudden victory over Charles Kerkesner. After the bout was tied 2-2 through the seven minutes of regulation, Adams picked up a takedown in the extra period for the final three team points up for grabs.

The match started slowly for VMI as Armando Herrea Dos-Reis was pinned in the second period of the 125-pound weight class. Franklin & Marshall’s Robert Ruiz notched a 7-3 decision over VMI rookie Andriy Onufriyenko at 133 pounds, followed by a Diplomat major decision by Richard Durso over Ryan Goodsell.

F&M logged two more victories on the night, one decision at 149 pounds and a second major decision at 157 pounds, putting up 20 team points on the board and victory out of VMI’s reach.

The Keydets won’t have time to rest, as the squad travels Philadelphia for a Saturday evening dual with Drexel University, which is currently ranked 45th in country, according to InterMat.com’s team rankings. Action is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.

Franklin & Marshall 20, VMI 16
125 - Aaron Moldoff (F&M) WBF Armando Herrera-Dos Reis (VMI) 5:00 - 6-0
133 - Robert Ruiz (F&M) DEC Andriy Onufriyenko (VMI) 7-3 - 9-0
141 - Richard Durso (F&M) MAJ DEC Ryan Goodsell (VMI) 10-2 - 13-0
149 - Andrew Murano (F&M) DEC Zeb Stewart (VMI) 7-2 - 16-0
157 - Theodore King (F&M) MAJ DEC Ted Gottwald (VMI) 10-2 - 20-0
165 - Mark Darr (VMI) DEC Colin Lahiff (F&M) 8-2 - 20-3
174 - John Dommert (VMI) DEC Adam Schroeder (F&M) 5-3 - 20-6
184 - Jonathan Jones (VMI) MAJ DEC Bradley Bailey (F&M) 16-4 - 20-10
197 - Urayoan Garcia (VMI) DEC Isaiah Cromwell (F&M) 8-4 - 20-13
285 - Juan Adams (VMI) SV-1 DEC Charles Kerkesner (F&M) 4-2 - 20-16