PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 23 Rutgers wrestling (9-5, 1-4) lost to No. 14 Northwestern (5-2, 4-2), 28-6, on Sunday afternoon in front of 4,044 fans at Jersey Mike's Arena. Billy Janzer (197) worked a ranked victory and No. 15 Brian Soldano (184) picked up his second Big Ten Conference dual victory of the season to highlight action for the Scarlet Knights against the Wildcats.

"We know what we are in for in this conference," said head coach Scott Goodale. "We have to bring the fight to them, and they brought it to us. So that is on me. I have to be able to get them ready to go. I knew this was going to be a tough day." 

RU dropped three consecutive tight decisions to ranked opponents to open the dual. No. 11 Dean Peterson (125) almost landed a winning takedown at the buzzer agaist No. 6 Michael DeAugustino, but the call was upheld after a challenge. No. 16 Joe Heilmann (133) hit a reversal in the first period but lost by 7-3 decision to No. 13 Chris Cannon, and No. 17 Joseph Olivieri (141) dropped a 5-3 decision to No. 11 Frankie Tal-Shahar. Tony White (149) lost by 12-4 major decision to No. 4 Yahya Thomas, while Andrew Clark (157) just missed finishing a comeback in a 5-3 loss to No. 12 Trevor Chumbley as Northwestern entered intermission with a 16-0 lead.

Robert Kanniard (165) returned from injury and landed the first takedown against No. 18 Maxx Mayfield before his opponent collected swipes towards the end for a 9-4 final. Jackson Turley (174) followed against No. 19 Troy Fisher and caught the Wildcat on his back in the opening period for six points. But after trading takedowns and escapes down the stretch, Fisher fought back for an 11-10 decision to secure the dual for the Wildcats.

Despite the dual being in hand, Rutgers landed back-to-back victories at 184 and 197 pounds. Trailing 5-3 in the second period to Evan Bates, Soldano reversed Bates and then collected four near-fall points for a 9-5 decision. Janzer faced No. 28 Andrew Davison and forced overtime before hitting a takedown on the edge of the circle for a 3-1 win - his second consecutive Big Ten victory after he recorded a 3-2 decision against Michigan.
 
Up Next
Rutgers wrestles at RV Maryland on Saturday, February 4 in College Park. The dual is set for a 2 p.m. start with a national broadcast on Big Ten Network.
 
Box Score
No. 14 Northwestern 28, No. 23 Rutgers 6
Attendance: 4,044
125: 6/6 Michael DeAugustino (NU) over 11/12 Dean Peterson (RU) by dec., 3-2; NU leads, 3-0
133: 13/11 Chris Cannon (NU) over 16/14 Joe Heilmann (RU) by dec., 7-3; NU leads, 6-0
141: 11/13 Frankie Tal-Shahar (NU) over 17/HM Joseph Olivieri (RU) by dec., 5-3; NU leads, 9-0
149: 4/4 Yahya Thomas (NU) over NR/HM Tony White (RU) by MD, 12-4; NU leads, 13-0
157: 12/15 Trevor Chumbley (NU) over NR/HM Andrew Clark (RU) by dec., 5-3; NU leads, 16-0
165: 18/17 Maxx Mayfield (NU) over Robert Kanniard (RU) by dec., 9-4; NU leads, 19-0
174: 19/19 Troy Fisher (NU) over Jackson Turley (RU) by dec., 11-10; NU leads, 22-0
184: 15/16 Brian Soldano (RU) over Evan Bates (NU) by dec., 9-5; NU leads, 22-3
197: Billy Janzer (RU) over 28/HM Andrew Davison (NU) by SV1; 3-1; NU leads, 22-6
HWT: 4/4 Lucas Davison (NU) over Kyle Epperly (RU) by fall (3:44); NU wins, 28-6
Rankings Intermat/FloWrestling