When it comes to wrestling, the Colonial League is deep.

A quick glance at the District 11 Class AA power rankings offers some credence to that notion, as the league currently occupies five of the top six spots.Such parity means every match - and every win - is critical.No team is more keenly aware of that fact than Northern Lehigh, which captured the District 11 Class AA team title a year ago with a late season surge.The Bulldogs know they can't take anything for granted if they're to repeat last year's success, which is why they'll take a win by any means necessary.While it wasn't conventional, Northern Lehigh remained unbeaten with a 39-38 Colonial League victory over Pen Argyl Wednesday night.The match was tied 38-38 after the 14 bouts, but the Bulldogs were awarded the win by way of the first criteria, which is unsportsmanlike conduct. The Green Knights were penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct during the 132-pound match and docked a team point, which ultimately proved to be the difference."We'll take a win anytime we can get it," said Northern Lehigh head coach Steve Hluschak. "Obviously, winning in criteria is big and we'll take it."We're lucky to get this win. I don't think very much went our way tonight, but we fought and clawed our way to the end and when you do that, you put yourself in a position to win and obviously we're happy with the victory."The match was still up for grabs heading into the final bout at 152 pounds when the Bulldogs (5-0, 4-0) sent out a senior and returning state medalist in Matt Schmall, who was bumping up two weight classes to face James Klinger.Despite giving up some size, Schmall was up for the challenge."I got a little excited before my match," Schmall said afterward. "I knew I had a tough kid (Klinger) and it got me hyped up knowing that the match was all on me and that I needed to win to win the match for us. I was definitely amped up and went out there and gave it my all."The senior showed his mettle by rebounding from a 4-0 deficit in the second period to come back and claim a 7-4 decision over Klinger that gave his team three points and made the score 38-all to send the match to criteria."Being in extremely tight bouts last year, not only in district duals but also in the Colonial League championships, has helped these guys grow up in this type of environment," Hluschak said. "This is what you wrestle for. I don't know if anybody leaves here tonight and they don't say that was one hell of a match and that they didn't see a good show."While disappointed with the outcome, Pen Argyl (8-3, 3-1) head coach Jason Grim was proud of the effort from his team."Our guys are tough kids. They work hard for what they get," he said. "They're a family. They don't like to lose. Last year (1-9, 1-7) wasn't fun for them, but they're buying into what we say everyday."PINNING. … The two teams combined for nine pins, with the Bulldogs getting five. For Northern Lehigh, Seth Fronheiser (113), Ezra Neff (126), Ryan Farber (170), CJ Young (182) and Cameron Kates (285) all won by fall, while Colten Rex (120) picked up a victory by technical fall.SET THE TONE. … The first bout of the night proved to be a microcosm of what was a wild contest. After trailing 4-1 in the second period, Pen Argyl's Stephen Beltz came back to not only defeat Brandon Belfonti, but pin his counterpart with six-tenths of a second remaining in their bout at 160 pounds.*No. Lehigh 39, Pen Argyl 38160 - Stephen Beltz (PA) pinned Brandon Belfonti in 5:59170 - Ryan Farber (NL) pinned Jeff Rufe in 3:28182 - CJ Young (NL) pinned Jake Holden in 3:09195 - Nathan Black (PA) pinned Brandon Smith in 1:58220 - Hayden Oliver (PA) pinned Jason Schaffer in 5:32285 - Cameron Kates (NL) pinned Blake Fox in 1:45106 - Austin Buskirk (PA) won by forfeit113 - Seth Fronheiser (NL) pinned Cody Lucca in 3:47120 - Colten Rex (NL) tech. fall Nick Reto, 17-2 (5:30)126 - Ezra Neff (NL) pinned Tanner Kootsares in 5:30132 - Jordan Simms (PA) dec. Chase Ohlsen, 7-4138 - Phil Zito (PA) pinned Tyler Hargreaves in 0:44145 - Chase Anklam (PA) won by forfeit152 - Matt Schmall (NL) dec. James Klinger, 7-4* Pen Argyl deducted one team point for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.