Northampton has higher expectations this season on the mats, but after the Kids came away with a 31-30 victory over Dieruff last week, you could say that the Huskies are also on track to make some noise.

Northampton head coach Seth Lisa was happy to pick up the season opening win, considering that he started four freshmen on the mat, as well as facing a Dieruff squad that matches up well with Northampton.

"I am very happy that we came out with a win against Dieruff," said Lisa. "They are a team that battles and has put in a lot of work over the last few years.

"Last years dual meet against Dieruff was close and we both have similar line ups. I knew it was going to come down to some of our young guys to step up and they did.

"I think the team learned that you have to put points on the board and not give up bonus points if you want to win dual meets."

Northampton won the first four bouts against Dieruff, picking up wins from Todd Hetrick (126), Zach Valley (132), Zachary Rooks (138) and Cade Moisey (145), with three of those wins coming with bonus points (two falls, one major).

The Kids won six of the first seven bouts to lead 27-3 midway through the match before Dieruff rattled off four straight wins from 182-HWT to draw within 27-24.

Dan Moran's 25-10 technical fall at 106 essentially helped push Northampton over the edge for victory, as the Huskies would earn decisions at 113 and 120 to end the bout winning seven of the matches on the night but falling short.

With Whitehall and Liberty on the agenda this week, the Kids know they'll have to scrape again for LVC wins.

"Whitehall has had a similar team to us in the last couple of years," Lisa said. "Very good individuals that compete at a high level, and some inexperience t other weight class I think our guys need to work hard and focus on scoring points and we should be all right.

"Liberty is always big match on our schedule. every year it comes down to the team that can put a better dual meet together. . s always within a couple of matches."

The Kids round out the weekend with their annual trip to the Beast of the East tournament in Delaware. Zach Valley took fourth a year ago d Lisa hopes he can at least replicate that success this time around.

"It's always a very difficult tournament that gives our team a chance to wrestle with guys from all over the country," he said. "It gives them all a lot of experience, early in the season. All of our guys are excited to go down and battle the best wrestlers in the country."

The Kids postponed match against Nazareth last Saturday has been rescheduled for Jan 23.