Central Michigan 28 Pittsburgh 6

PITTSBURGH — The University of Pittsburgh wrestling team faced its fourth ranked opponent of the season in a dual match, this time falling 28-6 to the sixth ranked Central Michigan Chippewas.

CMU won eight of 10 matches during the afternoon match, sealing the win with five straight wins to end the day, three of which were bonus-point victories. On the year, Pitt falls to 2-4 overall, 2-0 in the Eastern Wrestling League while Central Michigan improves to 11-1.

The Chippewas opened a 6-0 lead with decisions in the 125 and 133 pound matches. Eighth ranked Scotti Sentes scored a takedown less than a minute into the first period and never looked back, defeating freshman Chris Albright 8-1. At 133, two of the nation’s top ranked wrestlers squared off, with No. 19 Conor Beebe tallying the 8-2 win over No. 14 Jimmy Conroy. A second period reversal and near fall gave Beebe a cushion that Conroy could not overcome.

Redshirt freshman Tyler Nauman, the 10th ranked wrestler in the nation at 141 pounds picked up his team-leading 20th win of the year with a 3-2 decision over Tony D’Alie. After a scoreless first period, Nauman escaped to take a 1-0 lead 20 seconds in to the second frame. D’Alie tied it up in the third with an escape, but yielded a takedown less than 10 seconds later which put Nauman in front 3-2. D’Alie escaped with 30 seconds remaining, but was unable to maneuver a late takedown.

At 149, a late escape in the third period proved to be the difference as Ryan Cubberly defeated senior Mark Powell by a 3-2 count, pushing CMU’s lead to 9-3. Redshirt freshman Phil Sorrentino cut the Chippewa lead to 9-6 with a 4-3 win over Eric Cubberly at 157. With the match tied at 2-2 heading into the third, Sorrentino struck at the 1:16 mark with a takedown and never relinquished the lead.

Ahead by just three points, Central Michigan turned up the heat, starting with a 4-1 win by No. 10 Trevor Stewart at 165 over sophomore Ethan Headlee. A 8-0 major decision by Mike Miller was followed by a 6-2 Vince DiDona win over freshman Zac Thomusseit in the 184 pound matchup.

Overtime was needed in the 197 pound match as Eric Simaz scored the sudden victory fall over Matt Wilps at the 7:48 mark. Wrestling up a class for the second consecutive dual match was A.J. Hunte. CMU heavyweight Jarod Trice took a 4-1 lead into the final frame and tacked on two more takedowns and an escape for the 10-2 major decision.

The Panthers continue dual action, traveling to Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, Jan. 25 for an afternoon matchup against Penn. This will mark the second trip to Penn this season, as the Panthers competed in the Keystone Classic earlier this season, finishing runner-up to the host Quakers. Match time is set for 2 p.m.

No. 6 Central Michigan 28, No. 24 Pitt 6

125 – No. 8 Scotti Sentes (CMU) dec. Chris Albright (Pitt), 8-1
133 – No. 19 Conor Beebe (CMU) dec. No. 14 Jimmy Conroy (Pitt), 8-2
141 – No. 10 Tyler Nauman (Pitt) dec. Tony D’Alie (CMU), 3-2
149 – Ryan Cubberly (CMU) dec. Mark Powell (Pitt), 3-2
157 – Phil Sorrentino (Pitt) dec. Eric Cubberly (CMU), 4-3
165 – No. 10 Trevor Stewart (CMU) dec. Ethan Headlee (Pitt), 4-1 TB2
174 – Mike Miller (CMU) maj. dec. Karl DiCiantis (Pitt), 8-0
184 – Vince DiDona (CMU) dec. Zac Thomusseit (Pitt), 6-2
197 – Eric Simaz (CMU) fall Matt Wilps (Pitt), 7:48
285 – Jarod Trice (CMU) maj. dec. A.J. Hunte (Pitt), 10-2