Wrestling | 1/11/2020 7:21:00 PM

MOORHEAD, Minn. — The Minnesota State University Moorhead wrestling team dropped a 24-15 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference dual to Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday at Nemzek Fieldhouse in Moorhead, Minn.

MSUM fell to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the NSIC with the loss while the Mustangs improved to 2-3 overall and 2-2 in the league.

"We split with them with both teams winning five matches but we gave up bonus points at 125, 133 and 141 which was the difference in the match," MSUM head coach Kris Nelson said. "The coaching staff stressed the importance of getting bonus points and not giving them up all week but unfortunately we gave them up and did not get any. I felt we had to win six of the 10 matches to come away with the win but we only came away with five."

The dual started at 141 where SMSU's Justin Sampson pinned Dragon sophomore Mason Schulz in 6:32 to give the Mustangs a 6-0 lead. The Dragons won the next four matches — all by decision — to take a 12-6 lead. Winning by decision were senior Zach Scott, Junior Tell Ward (157), sophomore Justin Dravis (165) and sophomore Evan Foster (174).

Scott improved to 14-9 on the year with a 3-2 win over Robert Shields at 149. Ward edged Nathan Moore 3-2 at 157 while Dravis topped Jacob Backlund 7-2 at 165. Foster defeated Hayden Voxland 5-2 in at 174.

SMSU won the next two matches by decision to tie the dual at 12-12. Magnuson put the Dragons back up in front with a 2-0 win over SMSU's Andrew Petersen at 285.

"I was happy with Zach Scott and Tell Ward gutting out wins at 149 and 157 in close matches," Nelson said. "The other three guys that won matches — Justin Dravis at 165, Evan Foster at 174 and Jordan Magnuson at 285 — all wrestled hard and smart and got the job done."

The Mustangs won by fall at 125 and 133 to close the dual with a 24-15 final.

"We wrestled hard as a team for the most part," MSUM assistant coach Jake Lords said. "We had some gritty wins and some matches that didn't go our way but we fought hard.  We are on the right track and if we keep focusing  on the things we can control which are effort, attitude and aggressiveness, we will get to where we need to be for the regional and national tournaments."

MSUM hosts Minot State on Friday as it continues its homestand.

SMSU 24, MSU Moorhead 15
141-Justin Sampson (SMSU) pinned Mason Schulz, 6:32
149-Zach Scott (MSUM) dec. Robert Shields, 4-3
157-Tell Ward (MSUM) dec. Nathan Moore, 3-2
165-Justin Dravis (MSUM) dec. Jacob Backlund, 7-2
174-Evan Foster (MSUM) dec. Hayden Voxland, 5-2
184-Cole Hennen (SMSU) dec. Mitch Kotschevar, 9-3
197-Jackson Ryan (SMSU) dec. Logan Rhode, 3-1 (SV)
285-Jordan Magnuson (MSUM) dec. Andrew Petersen, 2-0
125-Hunter Pfantz (SMSU) pinned Cameron Williams, 4:50
133-Jackson Stauffacher (SMSU) pinned Joey Nerdahl, 0:54