Takedown Report

Rowan Clinches Win as Duke Comes from Behind to Defeat Sacred Heart, 19-18

DURHAM, N.C. — The Duke wrestling team won five out of the last six matches en route to registering a come-from-behind victory, 19-18, Saturday in the 2025-26 season opener against Sacred Heart in Cameron Indoor Stadium.     
The Blue Devils collected victories on the day by Aurelius Dunbar (157), Aidan Wallace (165), Gaetano Console (184), Connor Barket (HWT) and Riley Rowan (125) to score 19 of the last 22 points in the match.  Rowan closed the match with a 2-0 decision to secure the Duke win. 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Sacred Heart opened the contest by taking the first four matches, jumping out to a 15-0 advantage.
• The Blue Devils got things started in the 157-weight class as Dunbar registered a 4-2 decision in his Duke debut over AJ Falcone.After a scoreless first period, Dunbar collected a takedown to take a 3-1 lead.With the match even, 3-3, Dunbar escaped and a forced a second stalling call on Falcon to close with a 4-2 decision.
• Seeing action this season in the 165 class, Wallace registered a 5-4 overtime decision versus Aidan Zarrella to bring the Blue Devils to, 15-6.Wallace held a 3-0 lead through the first and led 4-1 in the third before Zarella evened the match with a takedown.Wallace got an escape in the second overtime to register the victory.
• Duke won its third match in a row as Console was impressive against Eric Wolf at 184 pounds.Console totaled three takedowns in the first period and six for the match as he rolled to the crucial technical fall.
• Sacred Heart’s Chris DeLena picked up a 10-6 decision over redshirt freshman Owen McCrory at 197 pounds to extend the Pioneers’ stretch the lead back to seven, 18-11. … more at … https://goduke.com/news/2025/11/1/wrestling-rowan-clinches-win-as-duke-comes-from-behind-to-defeat-sacred-heart-19-18

November 4, 2025 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized