WHEATON, Ill. – After going 2-2 at the season opening CUW Duals last weekend, the Raiders took to the mats six days later to try and improve on that start and push their record above the .500 mark. Though they had matches that were on complete opposite ends of the scoring spectrum, it was a one-point victory over Wheaton that gave them a winning record for the day at the Wheaton Duals on Friday afternoon.
RESULT
vs. Millikin – LOSS 44-3
vs. Wheaton – WIN 22-21
vs. Carthage – WIN 33-11
HOW IT HAPPENED
MSOE's (4-3, 4-3 CCIW) afternoon got off to a rough start when they ran into Millikin, last year's CCIW champions. The Raiders fell 44-3 in the opening match with the lone win coming from Drew Matticks (7-1 decision) but rebounded nicely in a tightly contested battle against host Wheaton. The Red and White lost the first bout due to forfeit but came away with six wins in the remaining nine duals. After fighting tooth and nail for their first win of the day, MSOE sailed right past Carthage 33-11, making it two dominate wins over their rivals to the south in two straight weeks. Top wrestlers for the Raiders were Matticks, who once again had a perfect meet. Charlie Gruen, Caleb Brick, and Helton Vandenbush each had two victories while Ethan O'linc, Garrett Mulkerin, and Hunter Huddleston each won once.
WHAT'S ON DECK
The Raiders will head into their last dual of the season when they participate in the Carthage Duals on Friday, February 5th. They will take on Augustana, Carthage, North Central, and Wheaton starting at 4:00 pm.
For up-to-the-minute MSOE Raiders news, visit us at www.go-raiders.com. You can also follow the Red & White on Twitter @MSOE_Raiders and @msoe_raiders on Instagram.
