CHADRON, Neb. -- December 12, 2019 -- Chadron State College wrestlers won three of its 10 bouts decisively, but the visiting University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers, ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division II, won the final two weight classes, in a dual on Thursday, to push themselves past the Eagles 26-16.

CSC was still alive for a win headed into the final match, won by No. 2-ranked Josh Portillo of UNK by technical fall. It was the only time in the dual that the Eagles lost before the end of regulation.

"Our three seniors did a heck of a job getting bonus points," said CSC Head Wrestling Coach Brett Hunter, "and that was huge. There were a couple matches that were close, and if we have those matches, we have an opportunity to win. What we were really looking for was our effort, and that was a lot better tonight. We have an opportunity on Saturday to really open up and get after it."

Seniors Brandon Kile and Wade French scored the only two pins of the match. At 133 pounds, Kile's came near the end of the first period, after giving up a takedown but reversing his opponent, Scott Fulsos, soon after. French and his adversary Jace Lacaille went scoreless in the neutral position for the full three-minute first period, before the No. 7-ranked French took command and won in 4:21.

At 157, senior Chase Clasen won by a convincing 13-4 margin with four takedowns and one set of four nearfall points.

In seven of the Eagles' 10 matches, they recorded the first takedown of the match, including 141-pound Joe Ritzen's first-period upheaval of No. 1-ranked Wesley Dawkins and 165-pound Tate Allison's second period double-leg on top-ranked Matt Malcom.

The Eagles are back in action on Saturday at noon against Cloud County Community College in the Nelson Physical Activity Center.

Individual Results
125 - #2 Josh Portillo (UNK) TF Tate Stoddard (16-0 5:46)
133 - Brandon Kile (CSC) pinned Scott Fulsos (2:51)
141 - #1 Wesley Dawkins (UNK) MD Joseph Ritzen (12-3)
149 - Jonathan Killingsworth (UNK) MD Caleb Haskell (11-2)
157 - #7 Chase Clasen (CSC) MD Tyler Cunningham (13-4)
165 - #1 Matt Malcom (UNK) MD Tate Allison (11-2)
174 - Terrell Garraway (UNK) dec. Gavin Eason (5-2)
184 - Talon Seitz (UNK) dec. Terry Winstead (SV-1 7-5)
197 - #7Wade French (CSC) pinned Jace Lacaille (4:21)
285 - #2 Jarrod Hinrichs (UNK) dec. Mason Watt (9-4)