#9 Upper Iowa Defeats #14 MSU Moorhead in NSIC Rivalry :: #9 Peacocks Clinch Piece of NSIC Championship with victory

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#9 Upper Iowa Defeats #14 MSU Moorhead in NSIC Rivalry

#9 Peacocks Clinch Piece of NSIC Championship with victory

Jacob Pedersen scored a pinfall in his upset victory versus MSU Moorhead.

Feb. 14, 2008

Upper Iowa - MSU Moorhead Dual Results

The #9 Upper Iowa wrestling team played host to the #14 Dragons of Minnesota State Moorhead. UIU came into the dual with a 2-0 record in Northern Sun action, while MSUM entered the dual with a 2-1 NSIC record. The two teams met in the fourth match of the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals. MSU Moorhead picked up the 22-16 victory over Upper Iowa in the dual. Thursday's night action, however, took a much different route. The Peacocks dominated the dual using three pins and two major decision victories to control the dual and take the victory 32-9. The win was Upper Iowa's ninth straight Northern Sun Conference victory over the last two plus seasons. The win also clinches a piece of the NSIC Championship and a victory against the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State next Friday is all that stands in the way of back-to-back titles for the Peacocks.

The dual began at 133 where Jacob Pedersen supplied the home team with a big lead. Pedersen toed the line against Kelly Janke (#7 NCAA). Janke scored an early takedown, but Pedersen worked his position into a reversal. The Peacock grappler score two near fall points to lead 4-2. As the first period drew to a close, the junior in black registered a pin (2:52) and gave Upper Iowa a 6-0 lead.

Steven Baker took the mat against Derek Bomstad in the 141 pound match. Bomstad registered a takedown in the first period and a reversal in the second to lead 4-0 heading into the final period. Baker battled tough and earned a reversal in the final period but could not complete the comeback as he fell 4-2.

With a 6-3 lead, the Peacocks sent Tee Adams (#4 NCAA) into the circle to wrestle Troy MacFarland. Adams picked up two takedowns in the first period to lead 4-1 heading into the second. Adams earned an escape after MacFarland scored a reversal to open the period. The match moved through a scoreless third period as Adams picked up the 5-3 decision. Upper Iowa took a 9-3 lead after the match.

As Travis Eggers (#4 NCAA) took his place on the mat, the Peacock faithful dressed in white let him know they were ready to see a great match. Eggers did not disappoint as he registered a major decision victory. The Monona-native scored a takedown and three near fall points in the first period while accumulating 2:52 of ride time. The Peacock sophomore added three more takedowns and 4:17 of ride time in earning the major decision, 12-2. Eggers is second on the team in wins this season with 24.

Mitch Norton made his return to the mat after suffering an injury in the Minnesota State, Mankato dual. Norton faced Rockie Stavn (#7 NCAA) in the 165 pound match. After Stavn scored a takedown and registered 2:38 in ride time, Norton trailed 2-0 going into the second period. Stavn began the second period down. Norton hit a throw, flipped Stavn onto his back and registered a pin (3:42). UIU's second pin of the night gave the home team a 19-3 lead.

The 174 pound match featured Brady Hakeman and the Dragons' Tyler Tubbs (#6 NCAA). The match moved to the second period tied at 2-2 after Hakeman scored a takedown and Tubbs worked for a reversal. Each wrestler earned an escape in the second, but a Tubbs' takedown gave the Dragon a 5-3 lead. Tubbs added two more takedowns in the third period for a 10-5 victory. The decision pulled the visitors to within thirteen, 19-6.

Tony Gehling took the mat at 184 and met Dan LeDuc in the center of the circle. The Peacock junior scored an early takedown, but trailed 3-2 midway through the first period. Gehling rallied for a 5-3 lead as the first period ended by combining an escape and a takedown. LeDuc scored two escapes around a Gehling takedown as the match moved to period three, 7-5. Gehling earned the only point of the third period with an escape to win by decision, 8-5, and give Upper Iowa a 22-6 lead in the dual.

Matt Nelson gave MSU Moorhead their biggest win of the night in the 197 pound match. Nelson posted an 8-1 decision over Upper Iowa's Matt Norton. Nelson scored two takedowns and two near fall points in the first two periods. Noton registered his only point with an escape in the third period.

Dan Goodson (#5 NCAA) added another bonus point victory at heavyweight for the Peacocks. Goodson and Jon Swart went to the second period in a scoreless tie. Goodson started the period on top and worked hard to get in position for the fall (3:47). The Peacocks took command of the dual with a 28-9 lead.

In the final match of the dual, Tyler Mumbulo (#2 NCAA) got the crowd on their feet once again. The 125-pounder put forth a blue-collar effort as he tallied a 9-0 major decision victory over MSU Moorhead's Joe Werner. Mumbulo scored his nine points with three takedowns, two near fall points, and a riding time point (5:27). Mumbulo now leads the Peacocks with 26 wins on the season.

Next Friday night, Feb. 22, Upper Iowa will look to finish their second straight NSIC season with a perfect 4-0 record. The Peacocks will face the Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State in the last dual of the season in Dorman Gym at 7:00 p.m.

The wrestling program will be recognizing their seniors prior to the dual. Friday's dual will serve as the final action for the Peacocks before heading to Mankato, Minnesota for the NCAA North Regional on Sunday, Mar. 2.