Carolina Falls To Virginia In Wrestling Action
Jan. 24, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina wrestling team dropped a heartbreaker to Virginia, 20-17, in Carmichael Auditorium tonight. The Tar Heels led by 10 points with three matches remaining, but the Cavaliers earned a major decision and a pinfall to tie the score at 17 and UVA's Brian Sticca upset #11 Chris Rodrigues (Marietta, Ga.), 9-4, to earn the final three points of the match. UNC falls to 5-3, 1-1 ACC, while UVA improves to 3-4, 1-0 ACC. The Tar Heels jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead as sophomore Evan Sola (Wernersville, Pa.) earned a major decision over UVA's Joe Alexander, 9-1. The Cavaliers responded with their own major decision as Bob Seidel defeated Brian Baglio (York Haven, Pa.) 14-4. Carolina and Virginia split the next two matches as the score remained tied at seven. The Tar Heels took the next three bouts as Mark Canty (Gahanna, Ohio), Dustin Heist (Meadville, Pa.) and Jimmy O'Connor (Woodbine, Md.) gave UNC a 17-7 advantage. The Cavaliers would not go away as they won the next two matches, including a big pinfall by UVA's Josh Etu over junior Ryan Adams (Rock Hill, S.C.) in just 48 seconds. In the deciding match, Rodrigues led Sticca 3-2 with just over 40 seconds left in the second period. Sticca earned two points for a take down and two more for a near fall in those 40 seconds to gain a 6-3 advantage heading in the final period. Sticca had the choice to begin the final frame and gained another point for an escape and put the match away 9-4. Carolina will face ACC foe Maryland, Saturday, Feb. 1, in Chapel Hill. The match will take place inside Carmichael Auditorium and will start at 1 p.m.
North Carolina 17 vs. Virginia 20 MD - Major Decision (8 points or more) |
