While three forfeits had a big impact in another Salisbury loss, a 54-21 defeat to Catasauqua last Wednesday, there were still a number of positives that head coach Eric Snyder was able to take away.

The biggest came from Antonio Alvarado in the second-to-last match.

Following a first period that saw Alvarado nearly lose by fall, the junior faced an 8-0 deficit after just two minutes. But when he and Catasauqua's Jacob Witman began the second period in the neutral position, something triggered Alvarado that resulted in a magical finish. Alvarado earned a takedown to open the period, and seconds later he cemented the Falcons' second, and last, pin of the match.

"He's gotten a lot better," Snyder said. "It's only his second year, and he's gotten a lot better since last year. Hopefully that will boost his confidence here a little bit.

"He fought off his back in the first period. He was down 8-0, and he didn't give up in the second period."

It was Alvarado's (138 pounds) first victory of the season.

"One of our assistant's talked to him earlier this year and said, 'Hey, do you think too much when you're out there?'" said Snyder. "You can't think. You have to have fun. And I think that's what he really did tonight."

Zach Adams (120) was responsible for the Falcons' other fall against the Rough Riders (5-11 overall; 2-3 in Colonial League).

Adams started the bout off with a takedown and built an 8-2 lead after two minutes. When the second period started, Adams rode out Catasauqua's Oscar Cordon until he earned the fall 54 seconds in.

"He doesn't panic out on the mat," Snyder said. "He puts himself in bad positions sometimes and gives up some points, but he doesn't panic.

"We have to get him wrestling the same way every time no matter who he wrestles."

Shane Simononis earned a 4-2 decision over Daniel Dailey at 160 pounds, while Alex Nicholas won by forfeit at 220 for the Falcons' other two victories. Nicholas' forfeit brought Salisbury to within 21-9 after six bouts.

And while the Rough Riders earned five pins in the last eight bouts, the Falcons (0-7 overall; 0-5 in Colonial League) showed plenty of fight in a number of matches all night.

Michael Murphy (106 pounds) led 4-1 over Anthony Stahl after the first period before getting pinned 1:13 into the second period. At 195, Dante Martinez was in full control and led 4-0 after a late reversal in the second period. But Catasauqua's Jacob Latsch secured two takedowns in the third period before securing a cradle and pinning Martinez in the final seconds of the bout.

"You don't want to see those things happen, but those things do happen when you're talking about the inexperience of the guys," Snyder said. "It's growing pains with that. I'm proud of the guys and the way they wrestled."

The Falcons host Palmerton on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. Both teams are looking for their first conference win of the season.