Seniors Celebrate Third Straight Win Over Dragons
MOORHEAD, Minn. (2/05/13)--- Concordia celebrated Senior Night by winning its final seven individual matches against MSU Moorhead and cruised to a 24-6 win. All four Cobber seniors in the lineup won as CC won its third dual in the last four outings.
The victory, in which all 10 matches won by a decision, is the third straight for Concordia over MSU Moorhead. It is also the fourth time that the Cobbers have beaten the Dragons in the past five seasons. CC is now 6-5 in dual matches this year while MSUM falls to 8-6.
The key for the Cobbers against the Division II Dragons came from third-period victories. Concordia won three individual matches when they were tied, or behind, in the third period.
"We've been losing in those situations before," said head coach Matt Nagel. "We've been doing those scenarios in practice and they have been working on that. It's starting to show and it is really encouraging."
Postmatch audio interview with head coach Matt Nagel (2:15)
The biggest third-period comeback came courtesy of senior Josten Coleman at 165. Concordia was clinging to a 9-6 heading into Coleman's bout and Coleman found himself down 3-1 heading into the final period. He then got an escape after starting in the down position. Coleman then took down Kerron Williams in the final 1:30 to pick up a hard-fought 6-4 win. The thrilling victory gave the Cobbers a 12-6 lead and helped turn the momentum squarely in Concordia's favor.
"I didn't change a single thing (in the third period)," commented Coleman. "I just kept battling and sometimes I find myself down in the early periods and just keep fighting. They get tired and we are trained for the third period."
The win adds to Coleman's team-leading season total. He is now 22-8 on the year after going 12-13 last season.
When asked what the biggest difference is between this year and last season, Coleman replied, "Another year of experience." He went on to add, "Just putting things together. Using everything that has happened to me in the past 3-4 years and finally putting it together out on the mat."
Postmatch audio interview with Cobber senior Josten Coleman (1:47)
The other third-period wins were recorded by Sebastian Gardner and senior Nathan Schmitz. Both wrestlers were tied in the third period and both found a way to grind out a win. Gardner was tied at 2-2 with Jesse Puncochar in their 184-lb match and then picked up a takedown in the final period and used over a minute of riding time to post a 5-2 win. Schmitz never trailed in his bout at 197 but found himself tied at 1-1 at the start of the third period. Schmitz, a 2012 NCAA All-American, proceeded to get two takedowns in the final period and won 5-3. He is now 10-3 on the season since returning from an injury in the middle of January.
Kevin Fynboh and Tom Bouressa were the final two members of the senior quartet to earn a victory. Fynboh was able to score takedown in each of the first two periods in his match at 157 and earned a 5-2 win. He is now 18-10 on the year. No.4-ranked Bouressa dominated his match at 285, did not allow his opponent to score a point and won 7-0. With the victory, Bouressa becomes the second member of the Cobbers to record a 20-win season. He has now won 14 of his last 15 matches and is 20-3.
Will McCarthy started the team match on a positive not for Concordia as he won 4-1 at 125. He is now 10-8 on the season and is the 16th CC wrestler to have a double-digit season win total.
The other two wins against the Dragons came from Jake Long at 149 and Chris Harrison at 184. Long started the Concordia seven-match win streak when he recorded an 8-3 victory. He had one takedown in each round and also scored a point for riding time. Long has now won six of his seven matches since being dropped down to 149. Harrison never trailed in his match, bolted to a 4-0 lead and outmuscled his opponent to get a five-point victory. Like Long, Harrison has won six of his last seven matches.
The Cobbers will finish off the regular season with a pair of dual matches on the road against former MIAC opponents. Concordia will tangle with St. Olaf in Northfield on Friday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. and then travel to Collegeville to square off against No.21-ranked St. John's on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.
NCAA Wrestling Box Score
Final Score:
#24 Concordia-Moorhead 24, MSU Moorhead 6
Date: February 5, 2013
Location: Moorhead, Minn.
Arena: Memorial Auditorium
Start Time: 7 p.m.
End Time: 8:50 p.m.
Total Time: 1:50
Attendance: 352
Individual Match Results:
125 – Will McCarthy (CC) dec. Mitch Dunlap (MSUM); 4-1
133 – Philippe Walker (MSUM) dec. Jacoby Bergeron (CC); 4-3
141 – Angel Vega (MSUM) dec. Chase Austvold (CC); 7-3
149 – Jake Long (CC) dec. Casey Williams (MSUM); 8-3
157 – Kevin Fynboh (CC) dec. Jacob Bennett (MSUM); 5-2
165 – Josten Coleman (CC) dec. Kerron Williams (MSUM); 6-4
174 – Sebastian Gardner (CC) dec. Jesse Puncochar (MSUM); 5-2
184 – Chris Harrison (CC) dec. Lucas Moderow (MSUM); 9-2
197 – Nathan Schmitz (CC) dec. Matt Lewellen (MSUM); 5-3
285 – Tom Bouressa (CC) dec. Gerard Fugleberg (MSUM); 7-0
Match Notes:
- Concordia is ranked 24th in the latest NWCA Division III poll.
- #11 Concordia is now 6-5 in dual meets this season.
- MSU Moorhead is now 8-6 in dual meets this season.
- Concordia won seven straight matches to finish the dual meet.
- The Cobbers won 8 of the 10 individual matches.
- Concordia won three matches when they were tied or trailed in the third period.
- Concordia senior Josten Coleman earned his team-leading 22nd win.