EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team rallied in the final two matches to overtake UW-Platteville 18-14 in its final home dual of the season on Saturday at the McPhee Center. The 10th-ranked Blugolds trailed 14-12 entering the final two bouts, but wins from Zach Sato (So. - Oswego, Ill.) and Zach Schneider (Jr. - Houston, Minn.) propelled them to victory.
The dual began at 165 pounds, where ninth-ranked Tristan Massie (Jr. - Hillsdale, Wis./Barron) got the Blugolds off to a winning start. He scored a 3-2 decision to put three points on the board for UW-Eau Claire. Jared Stricker (So. - Ashland, Wis.) continued the momentum at 174 pounds. The fourth-ranked Blugold blanked eighth-ranked Nathan Wynsma in a 5-0 decision to put UW-Eau Claire ahead 6-0. Sixth-ranked Niall Schoenfelder (So. - Antioch, Ill.) made it three straight for the Blugolds with a victory at 184 pounds. He earned a 3-1 decision, and his win established a 9-0 advantage for UW-Eau Claire.
Sam Melton (Jr. - Shell Lake, Wis./Spooner) battled at 197 pounds, but ultimately fell in a 3-0 decision. The defeat got the Pioneers on the board with three points. Tenth-ranked Chase Melton helped the Blugolds recover though, besting 11th-ranked Brett Schoenherr in a 3-1 decision at 285 pounds.
The win put the Blugolds ahead 12-3 heading to the light weights. Carter Schulz (Fr. - Rice Lake, Wis.) wrestled at 125 pounds for UW-Eau Claire. He put points on the board, but fell in a 5-2 decision. The 133-pound bout featured a top 10 matchup, with No. 7 Tyler Fleetwood (Jr. - Fulton, Ill.) squaring off with No. 2 Zach Thompson. Thompson emerged the victor in a 5-2 decision.
The Pioneers took the lead after the 141-pound match. Lorenzo Diaz (So. - South St. Paul, Minn.) fell via technical fall, which put UW-Platteville ahead 14-12. The Blugolds took over from there.
Sato took the mat at 149 pounds, and the 12th-ranked Blugold earned a key 4-1 decision victory to get UW-Eau Claire back in front at 15-14. Schneider sealed the victory at 157, emerging with a 7-6 decision in a hard-fought match to clinch the win.
The Blugolds went 2-1 in home duals this season. The matchup wasn't the last time they'll wrestle at the McPhee Center this year, with the Don Parker Open scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4.
UW-Eau Claire's next competition is the Pete Willson Wheaton Invitational at Wheaton College. Wrestling takes place on Jan. 27 and Jan. 28.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
