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MSU-Moorhead slips by Huskies in dual meet
By Ryan K. Dale
Published:
Monday, February 10, 2003
It was the last home dual of the season and the last home match for three SCSU seniors.
No. 4 Dustin Darveaux, No. 1 Matt Neumueller and Brad Hunter all played key roles, in what was their last chance to wrestle in front of a home crowd. The dual was closely contested by both teams, leads were exchanged and the outcome came down to the final match of the night. Hunter (Oshkosh, Wis.) faced off with Josh Jansen at 157 pounds. Hunter and the Huskies had a 19-18 lead going into the last match that he had to try and protect.
Unfortunately, Jansen beat up on Hunter and scored an 11-1 major decision victory, giving the Dragons four points and the 22-19 victory over the Huskies (1-10, 0-3 NCC). The Huskies have relied on junior Dan Duch (6-12) for the majority of the season at 157 pounds, but because Hunter is a senior and it was the final home match, he got the start on Friday night.
On a more upbeat note, both Neumueller and Darveaux gained victories in their last home appearance on their way to possible national championships. Neumueller started the night out with a 3-1 victory over Nate Hanson at 165 pounds. The victory gave the Huskies a 3-0 lead.
In the next match, No. 8 Jon Duncombe made a triumphant return from a season filled with injuries by defeating Tony Soderberg 13-3. The major decision victory gave the Huskies four more points and a 7-0 lead.
Duch gave up his 157 pound match to Hunter and packed on some extra pounds to try and fill another hole in the Huskies lineup. He bulked up and wrestled in the 184-pound match that the Huskies have had to forfeit most of the season. He put up a noble effort in his match against Ryan Kopiasz, losing a major decision 13-3. The Dragons gained four points and cut the Huskies lead to 7-4.
Darveaux ended his home career in prompt fashion, pinning Scotty D'Camp in 1:35. The pin fall victory gave him a 30-2 record on the year and the Huskies six more points. The 16-4 lead looked like it would be a certain Husky win.
Nothing is certain in wrestling though, and the Huskies learned the hard way. After obtaining a 16-4 lead they had to watch the lead and victory slowly slip away after losing four out of the last five matches.
After Hunter's loss in the final match, the Huskies were in disbelief that a 16-4 lead could turn into a 22-19 loss.
The wrestlers showed promise and they were as close to being healthy as they have been all season. SCSU only has three dual matches remaining before the NCC Championships in Fargo (Mar. 2) and the NCAA D-II Championships in Wheeling, W. Va. (Mar. 14-15).
