BOONE, N.C. – The Citadel wrestling team opened its 2016-17 SoCon schedule with a 34-15 loss at Appalachian State on Sunday.

After falling behind 9-0 to the Mountaineers, the Bulldogs (1-2, 0-1 SoCon) answered with back-to-back pins from Ty Buckiso (12-12) and Aaron Walker (13-7).

Buckiso made quick work of App State's James Clark at 149 pounds, leading 10-0 before pinning his opponent at the 2:30 mark into the first period. Buckiso was projected to match up with App State's No. 20 ranked Matt Zovistoski for the third time this season and second time in as many weeks, but instead drew Clark.

After Buckiso cut the deficit to three points, Walker faced App State's Gavin Londoff in the 157-lb match. Walker led 4-1 after two periods, but closed out the match with a pin at 5:38 to give the Bulldogs a 12-9 lead.

The Mountaineers responded with three straight wins, which included one fall and two technical falls. Sawyer Root (10-11) ended the streak with a 7-2 decision over Randall Diabe. Root finished with two takedowns to defeat Diabe and picked up his second dual win of the season.

The Bulldogs will next compete at the prestigious Virginia Duals on Jan. 13 and 14. They will then return to conference action hosting Gardner-Webb on Jan. 21.

The Citadel at Appalachian State

133 Colby Smith (App State) over Andrew Szalwinski (Citadel) (Fall, 2:47)
141 Irvin Enriquez (App State) over Douglas Gudenburr (Citadel) (Dec 6-2)
149 Ty Buckiso (Citadel) over James Clark (App State) (Fall, 2:30)
157 Aaron Walker (Citadel) over Gavin Londoff (App State) (Fall, 5:38)
165 Forrest Przybysz (App State) over Ruston Hill II (Citadel) (TF, 16-1 7:00)  
174 Nick Kee (App State) over Martin Duane (Citadel) (TF, 18-3 7:00)
184 David Peters-Logue (App State) over Chandler Sambets (Citadel) (Fall, 1:13)
197 Sawyer Root (Citadel) over Randall Diabe (App State) (Dec 7-2)
285 Denzel Dejournette (App State) over Joe Bexley (Citadel) (Fall, 2:11)
125 Logan Durham (App State) over Patrick Kearney (Citadel) (Dec 10-3)
 
For more information on The Citadel wrestling follow @CitadelWrestle or visit CitadelSports.com.