Bucknell | Virginia Tech | Grand Canyon

HAMPTON, Va. – The Citadel wrestling team suffered three defeats in day one of the Virginia Duals in Hampton, Virginia, falling to Bucknell 32-9, No. 5 Virginia Tech 34-9 and Grand Canyon 23-12. The loss to Bucknell was the first of the season for the Bulldogs (3-3).
 
In the first dual against Bucknell, Aaron Walker and Marshall Haas remained perfect in dual matches. Walker (13-5) faced Zach Kelly and earned the win by fall in 6:54 to improve to 4-0 in duals this season. Haas, the SoCon Wrestler of the month for December, also picked up his fourth dual win after edging Bucknell's Tyler Green by a 6-5 decision.
 
The Bulldogs had little time to regroup before heading into the next match of the day against Virginia Tech at 11 a.m.
 
Ty Buckiso kept things close at 141 pounds, trailing by only four against No. 12 Solomon Chisko heading into the third period but the sophomore's comeback fell short, eventually dropping a 7-2 decision. Buckiso (10-8) was the only Bulldog to face two ranked opponents on Friday, dropping an 8-3 decision to No. 20 Tyler Smith of Bucknell.
 
At 149 pounds, Matt Frisch held a 3-1 lead over Virginia Tech's Chad Saunders heading into the third period after recording a two-point takedown and an escape. Despite an escape from Saunders in the third period, Frisch secured the riding time point and hung on to pick up the 4-2 decision. The win was the first of the match for the Bulldogs.
 
Walker followed Frisch with his second pin of the day, defeating Justus Weaver in just 2:32 and closing the Hokies' lead to four heading into the 165 matchup.
 
Daniel Smith took to the mat at 165 for the Bulldogs but despite a gritty effort was pinned in 4:41 by No. 18 David McFadden, pushing Virginia Tech's lead to 10.
 
At 197 pounds Haas found himself in another close match, this time with the Hokies' Jared Haught. Haught, ranked No. 8 in the country, held a 1-0 lead heading into the third period but Haas recorded an escape to even things at 1-1. With less than a minute left, Haught recorded a two-point takedown to make the score 3-1. Haas was able to tally an escape with seconds remaining but it would not be enough and the senior would take the 3-2 loss.
 
Of the 10 Hokies the Bulldogs faced in the dual, six were ranked in the top-20.
 
The Citadel then moved on to the first round of the Bronze bracket where they faced Grand Canyon. Despite wins from Patrick Kearney, Frisch, Walker and Haas, the Bulldogs were unable to pull out the win and dropped to 3-3 this season with the 23-12 loss.
 
The Citadel returns to the mat on Saturday for the final day of competition where they will face SoCon foe Campbell at 10 a.m. Results will be available at CitadelSports.com.
 
For more information on The Citadel wrestling, follow @CitadelWrestle or visit CitadelSports.com.