First Home Win of 2012 Comes for Dragons Against the Beavers
MOORHEAD, Minn. – While winning six of nine matches Friday night, the Minnesota State University Moorhead wrestlers took a victory over Minot State University. The Dragons (2-5, 1-2 NSIC) defeated the Beavers (4-2) 24-10 in Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse.
Following a first match major decision loss in the 184-weight class, the Dragons earned a second period pin to put the team on top, 6-4. Eric Lehmann (8-8) matched up against Luke Michaelson in the 197-class. It would take 3 minutes and 17 seconds of action before any points would be scored. At that point Lehmann was able to finally bring Michaelson to the ground and pinned him to start a three-match win streak for the Dragons.
The heavyweights trailed with Gerad Fugleberg (9-10) defeating Sean Small. Fugleberg showed his dominance in the match by not allowing a single point. The Fargo, N.D. native earned five points in the first period and did not score again until the third period. In the third, Fugleberg received four near fall calls and ended the match with 54 seconds to go by earning a 15-0 technical fall. The win from the big man gave the home team an 11-4 lead.
Corey Ulmer (17-2), ranked No. 2 in the nation at the 125-weight class, continued to build on the Dragons lead by taking down Josh Douglas. The first period was capped off for Ulmer with a near fall call as time expired, giving the senior an 8-0 lead. A reversal from each side came in the second period and only one point, from Ulmer, was scored in the third. Improving his individual record, Ulmer took a 12-2 major decision and gave the Dragons their biggest lead of the night at 15-4.
Minot was able to win the 141-class by decision but was quickly answered in the 149-class by senior Tyler Steinwand (9-7). Steinwand built and kept a lead over Kirby Kain for the entire match. The Mandan, N.D. native recorded three takedowns and an escape to finish with a 7-3 decision.
The Beavers again kept the dual within reach by taking the 157 match and setting the score at 18-10. Apache Junction, Ariz. native Jacob Bennett (15-7) put the dual away for good though, earning a decision over Drew Spaulding. 165-pound Bennett did not grab a lead on Spaulding until the third period when he escaped a takedown and put the Beaver on the mat. While Bennett had Spaulding on the ground, he earned a three-point near fall as time expired to win the match, 7-4.
Last to take the mat on the night was the 174-class match between Trent Sovde (9-6) and Jaymes Stanley. The highlight of the bout came in the first period when Sovde picked up Stanley and threw him on the mat to earn two takedown points. The takedown gave the senior a 4-2 lead, enough to last him throughout the rest of the match. Sovde capped off the night with a 5-3 decision that solidified the Dragons 24-10 win.
The Dragons next action on the mat comes on the road in Mankato, Minn. MSUM will face Minnesota State Mankato in the Taylor Center with matches beginning at 7 p.m.
MSU-Moorhead 24 Minot State 10
184: Cody George (Minot) def Kody Kalkbrenner (MSUM)11-4 MajDec
197: Eric Lehmann (MSUM) def Luke Michaelson (Minot) Pinfall 3:17
285: Gerad Fugleberg (MSUM) def Sean Small (Minot) 15-0 TF
125: Corey Ulmer (MSUM) def Josh Douglas (Minot) 12-2 dec.
133: Graelin Garlington (MSUM) vs. Open
141: Deon Buhl (Minot) def. Connor MacGregor (MSUM) 8-3 dec.
149: Tyler Steinwand (MSUM) def. Kirby Kain (Minot) 7-3 dec.
157: Marcus Bausman (Minot) def. Derek Lee (MSUM) 12-6 dec.
165: Jacob Bennett (MSUM) def. Drew Spaulding (Minot) 7-4 dec.
174: Trent Sovde (MSUM) def. Jaymes Stanley (Minot) 5-3 dec.