WVU Falls to No. 13 Terrapins, 22-15

By Brian Kuppelweiser
WVU Sports Information Office

January 06, 2012

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - In its first home dual meet of the season, the West Virginia wrestling team was defeated by No. 13 Maryland, 22-15, in front of 828 fans at the Coliseum.

“My first thought is that Maryland is a very good wrestling team,” said coach Craig Turnbull.

“My second thought is that some of our freshman and inexperienced guys did not wrestle with the confidence needed to defeat that quality of a team. When we are wrestling a team such as that, we have demand that we take matches.”

The Mountaineers got off to a quick start in the match, as junior Shane Young (125) was able to defeat Shane Gentry in a 10-3 decision. The victory over Gentry, who was ranked No. 20 in the nation, moved Young’s overall record to 14-3.

WVU looked to gain a larger advantage with the 133-pound match, but redshirt sophomore Nathan Pennesi was upset by the Terrapins Geoffrey Alexander by way of a 6-2 decision.

“Nathan’s loss was unfortunate because that probably would have been one of the wins that we needed,” Turnbull said. “That was Nathan’s first time down to 133 this season, and he was really feeling the effects of it throughout the match.”

In what was the most exciting match of the evening, sophomore Michael Morales (141), who was wrestling his first match of the season, took on the Terrapins Frank Goodwin. Morales was behind 5-4 early in the third period, but was able to score a takedown followed by three near fall points that were crucial in sealing the 10-7 victory.

“I don’t know what the heck Mike does because it doesn’t look like anything we teach,” Turnbull said. “He goes out there with the idea that he is supposed to come out on top. That kind of attitude will win you matches. We need to see that kind of attitude out of more of our kids.”

After three consecutive Maryland victories, WVU found itself down 16-6 with three matches remaining.

Redshirt senior Matt Ryan (184), who was leading his match late in the third period by a 1-0 margin, scored a takedown that iced away a 3-0 victory. The win cut the WVU’s deficit to 16-9.

Sophomore Nicholas Hylton (197), who was also wrestling his first match of the season, looked to have a chance at an upset bid over No. 10 Christian Boley of Maryland as he was leading 1-0, but Boley shot through for a takedown near the end of the second period and pinned Hylton to clinch the match for the Terrapins.

Redshirt senior Brandon Williamson (HWT) of WVU closed out the contest with a forfeit win due to injury.

The Mountaineers will return to action next Friday night, when they take on Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., at 7:30 p.m.

Results
125: Shane Young def. Shane Gentry, 10-3
133: Geoffrey Alexander def. Nathan Pennesi, 6-2
141: Michael Morales def. Frank Goodwin, 10-7
149: Ben Dorsay def. Brutus Scheffel, 15-8
157: Kyle John def. Dominic Prezzia, 14-6
165: John Asper def. Kyle Eason, 4-0
174: Jimmy Sheptock def. Lance Bryson, 9-3
184: Matt Ryan def. Ty Snook, 3-0
197: Christian Boley def. Nicholas Hylton, fall at 4:55
HWT: Brandon Williamson def. Ryan Gray, medical forfeit





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