UNI Wrestling Falls to South Dakota State, 22-16

Sunday, January 21

Brookings, S.D.

2 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

South Dakota State

Photo by: Sam Janicki

UNI Wrestling Falls to South Dakota State, 22-16

1/21/2018 4:03:00 PM | Wrestling

PDF of score sheet
BROOKINGS, S.D. – UNI wrestling won a key top-10 matchup at 174 pounds, but the Panthers fell to South Dakota State, 22-16.

No. 11 UNI falls to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12. No. 15 South Dakota State improves to 9-2 and 4-0 in the Big 12.

The Panthers fell behind early losing the first two matches by fall before No. 7 Josh Alber narrowed the team score with a 9-2 decision over Henry Pohlmeyer at 141 pounds. Alber is on a seven-match win streak for UNI.

At 149 pounds, No. 7 Max Thomsen was the only Panther to earn bonus points. A late escape had Thomsen settling for a 15-1 major decision instead of a tech fall over Colten Carlson. Thomsen led the team in takedowns with three.

South Dakota State would take the next two matches before momentum started to swing in favor of the Panthers.

Taylor Lujan fought off the attacks of No. 9 David Kocer to win 3-1 at 174 pounds. The decision gives Lujan five wins over top-20 opponents. Earlier this year, he beat No. 6 Brandon Womack of Cornell, No. 9 Jadaen Bernstein of Navy, No. 12 Keaton Subjeck of Stanford and No. 18 Forrest Przbysz of Appalachian State. Lujan leads the team with dual points with 29.

Foster gave UNI back-to-back wins with a decision at 184 pounds. Trailing 3-2 to start the third period, Foster went on the attack in the third period with an escape, takedown and nearfall points. His riding time closed the 8-4 win over No. 23 Martin Mueller.

"It's definitely important to keep the offense going and get the energy back in our favor," Foster said. "I personally need to do a better job at getting more attacks and being more offensive. The result isn't what we wanted but it's not a dual that we will let define us."

Three-time NCAA qualifier No. 9 Nate Rotert sealed SDSU's team win with a 5-1 decision at 197 pounds.

Heavyweight Carter Isley improved to 4-4 in duals with a 3-1 decision over Alex Macki. Isley has won four of his last five duals. His last dual loss was to No. 4 Tanner Hall of Arizona State.

Alber, Thomsen, Lujan and Foster remain undefeated in Big 12 duals.

UNI continues to lead the series that dates back to 1954. The Panthers are now 38-4-1 against the Jackrabbits. It was head coach Doug Schwab's first loss to South Dakota State, now 4-1.

UP NEXT - UNI will face No. 5 Oklahoma State on the road Feb. 3.

"We have a big one coming up in a couple of weeks that we aren't supposed to win on paper, but I'm confident in this team and the output that's coming," Foster said. "These are the guys I'm going to war with and there are more back in Cedar Falls. We continue to trust the process."

#15 SDSU 22, #11 UNI 16 – NWCA team rankings / NCAA individual rankings