vs. SIUE | vs. NIU

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The Citadel wrestling team fell to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Northern Illinois on Sunday afternoon in Edwardsville, Illinois. The Bulldogs fell to SIUE 18-16 and Northern Illinois 24-19.
 
The Citadel jumped out to an early lead against SIUE after Patrick Kearney picked up his third dual win of the season by a 7-4 decision.
 
At 133 pounds, SIUE took the lead after winning by fall in 3:56 making the score 6-3 but Ty Buckiso quickly evened the score after picking up an 8-2 decision at 141 pounds.
 
The Cougars went on a run in the next five bouts, collecting 12 points at 149 pounds, 165, 174 and 184. Aaron Walker was the only Bulldog to win during the stretch, tallying a 17-5 major decision. With only two weight classes remaining The Citadel trailed 18-10.
 
After a 9-4 decision win by Marshall Haas, the Bulldogs still trailed the Cougars by five with only the 285-pound bout remaining. Bexley defeated Chris Johnson in a sudden victory decision 4-2 but the three points the junior collected were not enough and The Citadel fell 18-16. With the loss, the Bulldogs are now 1-1 in SoCon matches.
 
The Bulldogs (4-5, 1-1) then had a quick break before taking to the mat against Northern Illinois.
 
In the second dual of the day The Citadel fell down early, trailing 14-0 heading in to the 149 bout. Matt Frisch and Walker swung momentum in the Bulldogs favor though, earning six quick points behind two pins. Frisch pinned Gabe Morse in just 49 seconds and Walker followed with a win by fall in 3:29 closing the Huskies' lead to two.
 
Northern Illinois won the next two bouts by decision and major decision to increase its lead to 21-12. Sawyer Root stopped the Huskies' run at 184 pounds when the freshman earned the 11-2 major decision win over Quinton Rosser to make the score 21-16 with two weight classes remaining.
 
Next on the mat would be Haas against No. 19 Shawn Scott. The senior kept it close but was eventually edged by a 6-5 decision, giving the Huskies a 24-16 lead and, with only one weight class remaining, the win.
 
The Bulldogs return to the mat on Wednesday when they host No. 25 Appalachian State inside McAlister Field House for the third SoCon dual of the season. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m. and live video and stats will be available at CitadelSports.com.
 
For more information on The Citadel wrestling, follow @CitadelWrestle or visit CitadelSports.com.