The Ashland Eagles wrestling team held their first home dual of the season against the No. 2 ranked Notre Dame College Falcons on Friday at Kates Gymnasium.

AU came into the match ranked No. 13 in the nation and needed to bring their “A” game to challenge the perennial wrestling powerhouse Falcon wrestling squad.

The Eagles fell short in a couple matches, but did their best to answer back with several wrestlers gaining victories over the Notre Dame College squad.

No. 1 ranked senior Michael Labry won his 133 pound match by major decision over David Bavery (NDC), 11-3.

In the 149 pound class senior Brent Fickle won by decision over Coby Fehr (NDC), 7-2.

After a trio of victories for NDC Ashland junior Jordan Murphy won by decision over Tony Vezzetti (NDC) by the score of 7-3.

AU junior Luke Cramer came out and gained the victory at 197 pounds by technical fall over Trent Allen (NDC), 17-1

Even though many of the Eagles wrestlers shined in the dual vs the No. 2 ranked Falcon squad the effort was not quite enough as Notre Dame College walked away with the victory 22-15.

While Eagles head coach Josh Hutchins was happy with the performance of his top wrestlers individually, he still was aiming for a team victory.

“A little disappointed,” Hutchens said. “I thought we had a chance to win the match. We gave up too many bonus points early on, and just didn’t have enough in the tank in the end.”

The Eagles wrestling squad will be back on the mats at home when they take on Lourdes College Friday at 7 p.m. at Kates Gymnasium.