MINNEAPOLIS – Despite trailing by two points heading into the final bout, No. 24 Rutgers wrestling (6-2, 0-1) dropped a hard-fought 22-15 dual to No. 8 Minnesota (8-1, 1-0) on Sunday in Minneapolis. No. 2
Nick Suriano (133), No. 2
Anthony Ashnault (149), No. 12
Nicholas Gravina (184) and
Matthew Correnti (197) all secured individual wins over the Gophers at Maturi Pavilion, with the dual broadcast live on BTN.
"That's a classic Big Ten physical battle which will help us moving forward," said head coach
Scott Goodale. "I thought we wrestled really hard in some spots. We got some big wins at 184 and 197 pounds and our two hammers [Ashnault & Suriano] looked really good. We just need to do a better job of controlling paces of matches and sticking to a game plan."
How it Happened
• Minnesota claimed six out of 10 bouts, including four victories by bonus points.
• After the Gophers were deducted a team point during Correnti's matchup with Rylee Streifel, the Scarlet Knights trailed by just two points, 17-15, heading into the final bout. However, No. 2 Gable Steveson secured the dual victory for Minnesota with his third-period tech fall.
• RU won two bouts before intermission. Suriano worked a 20-4 tech fall over Skyler Petry, highlighted by a four-period near fall in the first period. It was Suriano's second tech fall of the season and first in dual action. No. 8 Ethan Lizak, who is the regular starter at 133 pounds, was held out with a skin issue.
• After a loss from
Peter Lipari (141), Ashnault followed with a 14-4 major decision over No. 20 Tommy Thorn. Ashnault got Thorn on his back in the first period for a four-point near fall and secured his bout with a third-period takedown.
• No. 17
John Van Brill dropped his match with No. 11 Steve Bleise by decision, 7-3, as Minnesota claimed the next three matches at 157, 165 and 174 pound.
• After trailing 2-0 in the third period against Krone, Gravina tied up the score after a locked hands call on Krone and an escape. Gravina followed with a takedown with 10 seconds left in the match for a 4-3 decision.
• Correnti also collected a thrilling victory in his bout with Rylee Streifel. Tied 1-1 in the third period, Correnti earned the takedown with 22 seconds left in his match for the 3-1 decision.
Notables
• Ashnault collected his fourth win over a ranked foe this season with his 14-4 major over No. 20 Thorn. Ashnault also had three ranked wins at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational last month.
• Ashnault now owns 104 career victories, tied with Daryl Cocozzo and Dominick Russo for 11
th all-time in program history.
• Ashnault and Suriano are now a combined 26-0 this season with 22 wins by bonus points, including 10 falls, seven major decisions, four tech falls and a forfeit.
• In dual action, Ashnault and Suriano have combine for a perfect 16-0 mark with nine falls, four major decisions, two tech falls and a win by forfeit, good for 86 team points.
• Gravina's 4-3 decision over Krone was his second over the Gopher in dual action in as many seasons. Gravina also had a 8-2 result over Krone last season at the RAC.
No. 8 Minnesota 22, No. 24 Rutgers 15
Match started at 125 Pounds
Officials: Eric Lehrke, Jason Wedgbury
Attendance: N/A
125: No. 5/7/6 Sean Russell (UM) over
Shane Metzler (RU) (MD 16-5)
133: 3/2/3
Nick Suriano (RU) over Skyler Petry (UM) (TF, 20-5)
141: No. 5/7/7 Mitch McKee (UM) over
Peter Lipari (RU) (MD 13-2)
149: No. 2/2/2
Anthony Ashnault (RU) over No. 20/20/16 Tommy Thorn (UM) (MD 14-4)
157: No. 11/9/8 Steve Bleise (UM) over No. 17/15/13
John Van Brill (RU) (DEC 7-3)
165: Carson Brolsma (UM) over
Stephan Glasgow (RU) (MD 11-3)
174: No. 15/17/12 Devin Skatzka (UM) over
Joseph Grello (RU) (DEC 10-8)
184: No. 12/16/13
Nicholas Gravina (RU) over Brandon Krone (UM) (DEC 4-3)
197: Matthew Correnti (RU) over Rylee Streifel (UM) (DEC 3-2)
285: No. 2/4/2 Gable Steveson (UM) over
Christian Colucci (RU) (TF 17-2)
Up Next
Rutgers hosts a pair of ranked foes next weekend, as it faces No. 10 Wisconsin on Friday, Jan. 11 and No. 3 Oklahoma State on Sunday, Jan. 13 at the RAC.
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