Joseph's Pin Not Enough as Eagles Fall to Spartans

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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEAGLES.com) — The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team's three-match unbeaten streak came to an end Thursday evening, Dec. 3, as the Eagles were tripped-up by Michigan State University, 26-9, at Bowen Field House. The evening was highlighted by the 184 lbs. match, in which true freshman Phillip Joseph (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East) earned the first regular season victory of his career by way of fall.

With the loss, the Eagles fall to 2-2-1 on the season, while the Spartans improve to 3-1.

The match kicked-off at 174 lbs., where junior Nick Hendrick (Columbiaville, Mich.-Powers Catholic) took on Ian Hinton. After a scoreless first period, Hinton registered an escape and a takedown to take a 3-0 lead after two frames. Hendrick cut his deficit to 3-1 with an escape early in the third period, but Hinton answered with an escape of his own in the final seconds to take the match, 5-1. MSU had an early 3-0 lead.

Joseph got the nod 184 lbs. for the first regular season bout of collegiate career. The true freshman needed just one minute and 27 seconds to pin Nick Palmieri and bring the home crowd to its feet.

The Green and White entered the 197 lbs. match with a 6-3 advantage. Senior Josh Lewis (West Liberty, Ohio-Salem) fell behind early, 4-1, against Tyler Dickenson and was unable to make up the deficit as the Spartan redshirt sophomore prevailed, 12-3. The major decision put MSU back on top, 7-6.

MSU made it two victories in a row at heavyweight, where junior David Wade (Beavercreek, Ohio-Beavercreek) surrendered a pair of escapes in a 2-1 setback to Alan O'Donnell. The Spartans increased their to four, 10-6.

Looking to swing momentum back to the home side, senior No. 18 ranked Chris Jenkins (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh) stepped onto the mat to face Eric Olanowski in the 125 lbs. bout. The fierce battle remained scoreless until halfway through the middle frame, when Jenkins managed an escape for a narrow 1-0 advantage. Late in the final period, Jenkins tallied a crucial three back points and an extra point for riding time for a thrilling 5-0 win to pull the eagles back to within one, 10-9.

At 133 lbs., senior Sean Clair (Turtlecreek, Pa.-Plum) took on No. 1 ranked Franklin Gomez. Clair fell behind in the opening frame, 2-0, but notched an escape before the period concluded. Gomez then gained a three point lead, 4-1, following a penalty point and an escape in the second period. The final two minutes saw Clair cut the deficit to 4-2, but Gomez was able to stave off a comeback to win the bout and give MSU a 13-9 advantage overall.

The dual continued at 141 lbs., where sophomore Andrew Novak (New Boston, Mich.-Huron) squared-off with Dan Osterman. After falling behind, 4-1, Novak recorded a reversal to pull to within one, 4-3. Osterman answered quickly and often as he tacked on an additional six points before the end of the opening period to go ahead, 10-4. The final result was a 15-6 major decision for Osterman and a 13-9 Spartans' lead.

With three matches remaining, sophomore J.J. Johnson (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh) hit the mat against David Cheza at 149 lbs. Johnson trailed 3-1 heading into the final two minutes of the match, but an escape cut his deficit to 3-2. However, a takedown by Cheza with 30 seconds remaining sealed the match for the visitors. An extra point for riding time gave Cheza a 6-2 victory and propelled the Spartans to a commanding 20-9 lead.

Freshman Aaron Sulzer (Cleveland, Ohio-Holy Name) then did battle with Anthony Jones at 157 lbs. Sulzer broke a scoreless tie in the early stages of the second frame with an escape. After Jones recorded a takedown in the third period, Sulzer was awarded a penalty point and escape to take a 3-2 lead. However, Jones responded with a takedown for a 4-3 advantage. Sulzer pulled even in the waining seconds with another escape, but Jones earned the 5-4 win thanks to a point for riding time. MSU now led, 23-9.

The final match of the evening featured Justin Brandel (Saginaw, Mich.-Swan Valley) and Kyle Bounds at 165 lbs. Bounds led 7-2 through two periods and never looked back, as he won the bout 8-2 to make the final score 26-9 in favor of MSU.

The Eagles return to the mat Saturday, Dec. 12, when they face Indiana University, the University of Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Calumet College at the annual F.I.T.E. Duals in Oak Lawn, Ill.

MICHIGAN STATE 26, EASTERN MICHIGAN 9
174 lbs.: Ian Hinton (MSU) dec. Nick Hendrick (EMU), 5-1 MSU 3, EMU 0
184 lbs.: Phillip Joseph (EMU) fall Nick Palmieri (MSU), 1:27 EMU 6, MSU 3
197 lbs.: Tyler Dickinson (MSU) maj. dec. Josh Lewis (EMU),12-3 MSU 7, EMU 6
HWT: Alan O'Donnell (MSU) dec. David Wade (EMU), 2-1 MSU 10, EMU 6
125 lbs.: No. 18 Chris Jenkins (EMU) dec. Eric Olanowski (MSU), 5-0 MSU 10, EMU 9
133 lbs.: No. 1 Franklin Gomez (MSU) dec. Sean Clair (EMU), 4-2 MSU 13, EMU 9
141 lbs.: Dan Osterman (MSU) maj. dec. Andrew Novak (EMU), 15-6 MSU 17, EMU 9
149 lbs.: David Cheza (MSU) dec. J.J. Johnson (EMU), 6-2 MSU 20, EMU 9
157 lbs.: Anthony Jones (MSU) dec. Aaron Sulzer (EMU), 5-4 MSU 23, EMU 9
165 lbs.: Kyle Bounds (MSU) dec. Justin Brandel (EMU), 8-2 MSU 26, EMU 9

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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