Late-Match Rally Falls One Point Short

MARSHALL, Minn. (2/10/12)—Concordia's late-match rally came up one point short in the Cobbers' 17-16 loss at Southwest Minnesota State on Friday. CC trailed 17-7 before winning the final four matches to get to within one point.
 
Concordia is now 7-11 in dual matches this season while the Mustangs move to 9-5 and remain unbeaten at home at 6-0.

The difference in the match came down to a major decision. Each team won five individual matches on the night but it was the two Mustang major decisions to just one for the Cobbers that proved to be the deciding factor.

The Cobbers lost the first three matches of the night and trailed 10-0 before Kyle LeDuc was able to post Concordia's lone major decision of the match. LeDuc earned a 11-3 major decision at 149 to record his 17^th win of the season. CC then lost the next two matches before they started their near-epic comeback.

Freshman Sebastian Gardner started the Cobbers' four-win comeback train. Fresh off winning the championship at the Jamestown Invite, Gardner earned a hard-fought 5-3 win at 174. Gardner is now 14-15 on the year. Fellow freshman Chris Harrison continued the streak by recording a 10-5 win at 184. Nate Schmitz barely missed out on gaining a major decision when he won by seven points at 197. Schmitz' 13-6 victory upped his team-leading win total to 24 on the season. Needing a major decision to tie the overall match, 285-lb wrestler Cody Kasprick came up with a 5-4 win and CC fell by a final of 17-16.

Concordia will return home to host their final dual meet of the season. The Cobbers will host the University of Mary on Friday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. The match will be the annual Senior Night Celebration and two-time NCAA Champion Phil Moenkedick will be presented with his national championship ring after the match at 157.          

NCAA Wrestling Box Score

Final Score:
#18 Concordia-Moorhead 16, Southwest Minnesota State 17

Date: February 10, 2012
Location: Marshall, Minn.
Arena: Southwest MN State – P.E. Gym
Start Time: 7 p.m.
End Time: 8:25 p.m.
Total Time: 1:25
Attendance: 207

Individual Match Results:                                                                     
125 – Travis Borchert (SMSU) maj. dec. Hieu Pham (CC); 9-0
133 – Justin Reinsma (SMSU) dec. Jake Kostik (CC); 7-1                
141 – Ethan Hildebrandt (SMSU) dec. Chad Mack CC); 3-1              
149 – Kyle LeDuc (CC) maj. dec. Codie Lane (SMSU); 11-3            
157 – Casey Field (SMSU) dec. Kevin Fynboh (CC); 3-2                
165 – Jacob Begin (SMSU) maj. dec. Josten Coleman (CC); 15-2   
174 – Sebastian Gardner (CC) dec. Trent Molacek (SMSU); 5-3      
184 – Chris Harrison (CC) dec. Andrew Rodas (SMSU); 10-5           
197 – Nate Schmitz (CC) dec. Micah Larson (SMSU); 13-6              
285 – Cody Kasprick CC) dec. Brian Rodas (SMSU); 5-4                  

Match Notes:
- Concordia is ranked 18th in the latest DIII poll
- #18 Concordia is now 7-11 in dual meets this season.
- Southwest Minnesota State is now 9-5 in dual meets this season.
- Both teams won five individual matches on the night
- Southwest MN State won two matches by a major decision and three by decision
– Concordia won one match by a major decision and four matches by decision.