Illinois 27 Pitt 10

Panthers Fall to No. 7 Illinois, 27-10
Pitt falls to ranked opponent for third time this season

Jan. 11, 2009

PITTSBURGH — The University of Pittsburgh wrestling team fell victim to seventh ranked Illinois, 27-10, tonight at Fitzgerald Field House. The dual was close through the first six matches, but the Illini were able to take the final four bouts from the Panthers, pulling away for their sixth win of the season.

With the loss, Pitt falls to 1-3, 1-0 EWL on the year while Illinois remains perfect at 6-0, 0-0 Big Ten.

“They are ranked seventh in the country for a reason,” said head coach Rande Stottlemyer following the match.

“It wasn’t an effort thing tonight because our guys went after it all night. We are a team that is capable of winning these matches; we just need to get everyone hitting at the same time.”

Illinois got off to a quick start, taking the first two matches of the night in bonus-point fashion. B.J. Futrell’s defensive pin over Chris Albright at 125 pounds put the Illini up 6-0. At 133, third ranked Jimmy Kennedy’s five takedowns and a reversal sealed the major decision over No. 14 Jimmy Conroy, extending the lead to 10-0.

The Panthers fought back, winning the next two matches to cut the lead to 10-7. Tyler Nauman’s early first period takedown was just enough to earn the decision against Ryan Prater in the 133-pound matchup. The decision kept the No. 11 ranked wrestler tied for the team lead in wins with 18.

Senior veteran Mark Powell collected his 15th win of the year in strong fashion. Takedowns in both the first and second periods gave Powell a 4-0 lead heading into the final frame. He was able to secure the near fall as time ran out in the third, and after a riding time bonus point, ended the 149-pound match an 8-0 winner by major decision.

Wrestling in just his second match of the season, Mike Poeta, the No. 1 ranked wrestler earlier this season looked to be in mid-season form, carding the 17-5 major decision over Phil Sorrentino at 157 pound.

Heading into the final period of the 165-pound match, Ethan Headlee clung to a 2-0 lead over 11th ranked Roger Smith-Bergsrud. Seconds into the period, Headlee escaped to increase the lead to 3-0, but a takedown by Bergsrud swung the momentum in favor of the Illini. With just over a minute remaining, Headlee escaped and was able to hold off Bergsrud’s late flurry of shots, adding a riding time point for the 5-3 decision.

Headlee’s 18th win of the season brought the score to 14-10, but that was as close as the Panthers would come. Illinois took the final four matches by decision, including an upset at heavyweight as 10th ranked John Wise was able to score the 6-2 win over No. 4 Zach Sheaffer.

Pitt returns to EWL action, hitting the road this coming week for a Thursday night dual against Lock Haven. The Panthers and Eagles will meet on the mat January 15th, with match time set for 7 p.m.

No. 7 Illinois 27, No. 25 Pitt 10
125 – B.J. Futrell (Illinois) fall Chris Albright (Pitt), 4:43
133 – No. 3 Jimmy Kennedy (Illinois) maj. dec. No. 14 Jimmy Conroy (Pitt), 13-5
141 – No. 11 Tyler Nauman (Pitt) dec. Ryan Prater (Illinois), 2-0
149 – Mark Powell (Pitt) maj. dec. Eric Terrazas (Illinois), 8-0
157 – Mike Poeta (Illinois) maj. dec. Phil Sorrentino (Pitt), 17-5
165 – Ethan Headlee (Pitt) dec. No. 11 Roger Smith-Bergsrud (Illinois), 5-3
174 – John Dergo (Illinois) dec. David Sullivan (Pitt), 6-2
184 – No. 15 Jordan Blanton (Illinois) dec. Zac Thomusseit (Pitt), 6-2
197 – Patrick Bond (Illinois) dec. Matt Wilps (Pitt), 5-1
285 – No. 10 John Wise (Illinois) dec. No. 4 Zach Sheaffer (Pitt), 6-2