Fortunately, one of its surest hands stood in the way of that happening.

Gavin Hoffman, ranked No. 17 at 285 and harboring just one loss in dual competition up to that point, didn’t let the moment faze him, remaining composed and patient in an otherwise tense and pressurized bout against Bucknell’s Nolan Springer.

He operated well defensively, escaping a near reversal early in the second in what would prove to be Springer’s best chance to turn the tide his way. And whenever an opportunity presented itself, the Montoursville grad took full advantage, landing a takedown midway through the first and another deep in the third to seal the deal.

That 8-1 decision would be enough to turn the lead the Bald Eagles’ way one last time, as they scraped by the Bison, 17-15, to earn their first win in the matchup since 2018. With his former high school coaching staff sitting in the crowd and Lock Haven posting ten dual wins in a season for the first time since 2022, it was a particularly special win for Hoffman.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven's Gavin Hoffman works for a takedown against Bucknell's Nolan Springer at 285 during the teams' dual match at Thomas Fieldhouse on Thursday. The Bald Eagles won 17-15.

“When the team needs you, guys wrestle their best. (My mindset) was just to stay patient and let the points come to me, really just control the match and it would be fine,” said Hoffman on the win. “(This win) means a lot for this program and the direction that it’s headed. For the program, the team, the community and the coaches.”

“It’s pretty special to have these guys that were coaching me when I was 13 years old and in high school still here supporting me. Even though they’re not my coaches anymore, they’re still lifelong coaches that I’ll always appreciate,” he added on getting to compete in front of the Montoursville staff again.

The match was the definition of ‘every point matters.’

Of the ten competitive bouts on the night, eight were won by decision, five of which came by three points or less. All ten went the distance, even the two majors only growing lopsided through the final period.

Those two majors went the Bald Eagles’ way, ultimately serving as the difference.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven redshirt-junior Tyler Henson works for a takedown against Bucknell's Dylan Chappell during the teams' dual match at Thomas Fieldhouse on Thursday. The Bald Eagles won 17-15.

Against No. 15 Dylan Chappell at 141, No. 17 Wyatt Henson trailed 1-0 entering the third period before tying it at the start of the third with an escape. Then, after a tense minute of trading shots out of the neutral, one of Henson’s connected and he was able to convert it into a seven-point move, gaining the additional point he needed for the major thanks to riding time.

Lucas Kapusta would rack up nine points through the third of the following bout to secure a 13-3 major of his own. Coupled with surrounding decision wins from redshirt-freshman Branden Wentzel at 125 and Nick Stampoulos at 157, both of which were nail biters, the Bald Eagles were able to build up a 14-3 lead, putting themselves in position to win with a closing decision.

“We knew it was going to come down to bonus points, so getting those two majors was big,” said Lock Haven head coach Scott Moore. “(Henson) took a match that was close, broke it open, won a scramble and was able to get a major decision over a nationally ranked guy.”

Wentzel, also a Montoursville grad, picked up his first career win with the team, doing so in front of his home crowd at Thomas Fieldhouse. After attributing takedowns in the first and second to build up a 6-1 lead against Bucknell’s Chris Nucifora, he’d survive a tough third that saw him surrender three stalling points to secure a crucial, opening 6-4 win by decision.

“It just feels good getting a win for the team whenever we needed it. I lose that match, and we lose the dual,” said Wentzel. “It’s nice to see what my coaches have planned for me, coming into full circle and actually going out and competing at the best of my abilities.”

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven redshirt-freshman Branden Wentzel wrestles against Bucknell's Chris Nucifora at 125 during the teams' dual match at Thomas Fieldhouse on Thursday. The Bald Eagles won 17-15.

All in all, it was a big win for the program, who capped a week span in which it competed in three duals with a 3-0 record, including two tough tests against George Mason and Bucknell. Since starting 4-5, the Bald Eagles have rattled off six straight wins and will look to carry that momentum into a home match against Rider next Thursday.

“(Bucknell)’s a tough team, well-coached, a lot of great matches and really back-and-forth the whole way through,” said Moore. “So, grateful our guys showed up, fought through every position. I’d like to win more matches but they’re a tough program and it’s nice to come out on top.”

“Overall, I think it was a good team effort, and I like that we’re catching momentum right now as a team,” emphasized Hoffman. “The guys are wrestling really well and beat a very tough Bucknell team that just came off a big win of their own (against No. 21 Army). I just helps us a lot.”

For Bucknell (5-7), the close loss stings, but it managed to bounce back well to give itself a chance.

No. 30 Kurt Phillips and Logan Deacetis picked up upset wins at 133 and 184 respectively, defeating No. 16 Anthony Noto and No. 23 Colin Fegley by decision. And No. 19 Myles Takats and No. 19 Dillon Bechtold scraped by in tight matches as well to add to its late run.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven's Lucas Kapusta wrestles against Bucknell's Braden Bower at 149 during the teams' dual match at Thomas Fieldhouse on Thursday. The Bald Eagles won 17-15.

The Bison have five dual matches to bounce back and get back above .500, starting with Friday’s home match against Navy.

Lock Haven 17, Bucknell 15

125: Branden Wentzel (LH) dec. Chris Nucifora (B), 6-4. 133: No. 30 Kurt Phipps (B) dec. No. 16 Anthony Noto (LH), 4-1. 141: No. 17 Wyatt Henson (LH) maj. dec. No. 15 Dylan Chappell (B), 9-1. 149: No. 32 Lucas Kapusta (LH) maj. dec. Braden Bower (B), 13-3. 157: Nick Stampoulos (LH) dec. Cade Wirnsberger (B), 2-0. 165: Noah Mulvaney (B) dec Caden Dobbins (LH), 3-1. 174: No. 19 Myles Takats (B) dec. No. 31 Avery Bassett (LH), 6-3. 184: Logan Deacetis (B) dec. No. 23 Colin Fegley (LHU), 9-3. 197: No. 19 Dillon Bechtold (B) dec. No. 27 Tucker Hogan (LH), 5-2. 285: No. 17 Gavin Hoffman (LH) dec. Nolan Springer (B), 8-1.

TIM WEIGHT/Special to the Sun-Gazette Lock Haven redshirt-junior Wyatt Henson and head coach Scott Moore high five after Henson's 9-1 major decision over Bucknell's Dylan Chappell during the teams' dual match at Thomas Fieldhouse on Thursday. The Bald Eagles won 17-15.