LA CROSSE, Wisc. – The No. 11 TCNJ wrestling team came within a whisker of upsetting 3^rd-ranked Wisconsin-La Crosse on the road in a thrilling showdown of powerhouse programs on Thursday night, taking the first four bouts only for the Eagles to run off six in a row and steal a 20-15 victory.
 
The Lions flew out to the upper Midwest to test themselves against a program that placed third at the NCAA Championships a year ago and has finished in the top-four eight times since 2007. Head coach Joe Galante's squad proved up to the task and then some in an evenly matched dual in which all but two bouts were won by decision. Two of those were one-point victories that went the way of La Crosse, either one of which would have swung the match in the Lions' favor.
 
Matthew Griffin served notice of the Lions' intentions right away, downing 12^th-ranked Quinton Wolbert, 8-6, at 125 in a match he led 8-3 before a takedown by Wolbert in the final seconds.
 
Kyle Nase edged Matt Haldiman, 5-3, at 133, and Sam Kotch picked up an 8-4 decision over Talan Schutte at 141.
 
Mike Conklin extended the TCNJ lead out to 15-0 with a second-period pin of Josh Cherba at 149, but unfortunately that was the last bout to go to the Lions.
 
La Crosse claimed the next six matchups, including a 4-3 decision for Tyler Goebel – last year's 149-pound runner-up – over reigning 165-pound NCAA champion Nick Sacco.
 
Kasey Gish's 9-8 nail-biter over D.J. Henry at 197 evened the match at 15-15, setting up a winner-take-all showdown at heavyweight. Michael Douglas, last year's national runner-up and current No. 1 wrestler in the country, notched a tech fall over Matt Coon to complete the comeback.
 
The Lions continue their Midwestern trip at the Augsburg Invitational on Saturday.
 
#3 UW-La Crosse 20, #11 TCNJ 15
125 – #7 Matt Griffin (TCNJ) won by decision over #12 Quintin Wolbert (UWL), 8-6
133 – Kyle Nase (TCNJ) won by decision over Matt Haldiman (UWL), 5-3
141 – Sam Kotch (TCNJ) won by decision over Talan Schutte (UWL), 8-4
149 – #7 Mike Conklin (TCNJ) won by fall over Josh Cherba (UWL), 4:40
157 – Tanner Gerber (UWL) won by decision over J.J. Giordano (TCNJ), 10-6
165 – #2 Tyler Goebel (UWL) won by decision over #1 Nick Sacco (TCNJ), 4-3
174 – Leo Draveling (UWL) won by decision over Hunter Mays (TCNJ), 11-6
184 – #12 Marcus Orlandoni (UWL) won by decision over Alex Strashinsky (TCNJ), 4-1
197 – Kasey Gish (UWL) won by decision over DJ Henry (TCNJ), 9-8
285 – #1 Michael Douglas (UWL) won by technical fall over Matt Coon (TCNJ), 21-6 (4:00)