EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire wrestling team needed a big finish in order to come back to beat UW-Platteville in the last home dual of the season, and a big finish is exactly what they got.
Down 23-3 with four matches to go, Matthew Laugen (So.-Fergus Falls, MN) gave the Blugolds momentum as he defeated Platteville's Cody Meyer 8-3 at 174 pounds.
The next match at 184 featuring Mat Rieckhoff (Sr.-Wausau, WI) and Michael Cole got the fans going as the senior recorded a fall at 1:32 to earn six points for Eau Claire.
Josh Cormican (So.-Boyceville, WI) picked up where Rieckhoff left off, pinning Josh Cannon at 1:48 to bring the Blugolds within five, 18-23.
Coming down to the last match at 285 pounds, Justin Karkula (So.-Oshkosh, WI) quickly secured a victory for the Blugolds as he won by fall over Platteville's Brandon Boyle at 1:47, giving the home squad a 24-23 win.
Robert Rocole (So.-Lakewood, WI) also recorded a victory for the Blugolds, winning by decision, 5-1 over Isaac Bronsinski at 157 pounds.
Eau Claire will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to La Crosse to compete in the Candlewood Suites Dual, hosted by UW-La Crosse.
-JM-
