MOORHEAD, Minn. – The No. 20 Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons wrestling team opened their home NSIC schedule with a top-20 battle against No. 7 ranked Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks. The Dragons jumped to an early lead but the Mavericks last win gave them enough points to take the match by a final of 19-18.
No. 6 ranked redshirt junior
Corey Ulmer opened up the dual at 125 pounds as he battled No. 2 ranked Andy Forstner. Ulmer opened up the first period with a takedown and quickly moved in to a three-point nearfall, nearly pinning Forstner in the process.
Ulmer chose down to start the third period and gained a two-point nearfall, securing an 8-0 major decision win after riding time was added. Ulmer's win over No. 2 Forsner gave him his team-leading 15 win of the year.
Redshirt senior
Evan Forde kept the Dragons momentum going as he took on the Mavericks' Skyler Moore at 133 pounds. Forde took a 2-0 lead into the second where Forde ran away with the match.
Forde escaped Moore in the second after choosing down and returned the favor, taking down Moore and gaining a three-point nearfall. Forde worked Moore over in the third en route to a 14-3 major decision.
Redshirt senior
Tallen Wald took back the dual for the Dragons after the Mavericks gained a pair of wins. Wald took down his opponent Tell Todd in the first period and rode out Hahn in the second, leading 2-0 after two periods.
In the third Wald gained a last second reversal after starting in the down position to secure a 4-0 win.
Tyler Kivel would not allow the Mavericks to mount a comeback when he took on John Makabe at 165 pounds. Kivel opened with a two-point takedown in the first but Makabe answered back with an escape. Kivel made Makabe pay, taking him down once again and gaining a three-point nearfall.
Kivel gained a pair of takedowns again in the second and added riding time in the match to earn the third major decision win for the Dragons with a 13-2 major decision that gave the Dragons a 15-7 lead after six matches. Senior
Jon Swart took the final match with a 7-2 decision but not the major decision the Dragons needed to tie the dual.
The No. 7 Mavericks escaped with a win over the shorthanded No. 20 Dragons as they won 19-18. The Dragons stay at home as they take on the University of Sioux Falls (S.D.) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. inside Alex Nemzek Fieldhouse.
Complete recap click here.
