Virginia Falls 19-18 To Chattanooga

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Feb. 14, 2016

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Bonus points proved to be the deciding factor at Memorial Gym on Sunday (Feb. 14) as No. 19 Virginia (6-6) fell to Chattanooga (12-4) by a score of 19-18 on a late fall.

With the Cavaliers leading 18-13 heading into the final match of the day, Chattanooga’s nationally-ranked Jared Johnson picked up the pin of Patrick Gillen to give the Mocs the one-point win over the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers built up an 18-7 lead on the Mocs with wins from Nick Herrmann, Joseph Martinez, Andrew Atkinson, Garrett Peppelman and Tyler Askey. Virginia got bonus points from both Herrmann and Atkinson, but Chattanooga claimed victory in the final three weight classes to come from behind for the dual meet win.

“Congratulations to Coach Eslinger and his staff,” said Virginia head coach Steve Garland. “He’s a fantastic guy and you couldn’t ask for a better man to compete against. We had good things happen today even going without George DiCamillo. That was a big loss for us.

“We have been working on situational finishing and that’s been the focus of the final part of the season. This loss hurts, but you find out who you are and will be at the hard moments in your life. We have one more dual against Pitt and then an exciting stretch with ACCs and the NCAAs.”

Herrmann delivered a major decision to start things off before Joe Martinez added a decision to give the Cavaliers the 7-0 lead. It was erased over the next two bouts as Chattanooga returned the favor with a major decision at 141 pounds and a decision at 149 pounds.

Atkinson then vaulted the Cavaliers back in front with a tech fall at 157 pounds, while Peppelman and Askey each added a decision to get Virginia out to 18 points in the meet.

Chattanooga erased the deficit and grabbed the come-from-behind win with decisions at 184 and 197 pounds and the pin at heavyweight.

Virginia will return to action on Friday, Feb. 19, when the Cavaliers travel to face No. 21 Pittsburgh in an ACC contest featuring nationally-ranked foes. The dual meet is slated to start at 7 p.m. ET.

CHATTANOOGA 19, No. 19 VIRGINIA 18
125: Nick Herrmann (UVA) major dec. Alonzo Allen (UTC), 11-3; UVA 4-0
133: Joseph Martinez (UVA) dec. Cody Hill (UTC), 7-0; UVA 7-0
141: Mike Pongracz (UTC) major dec. Emilio Martinez (UVA), 10-0; UVA 7-4
149: Chase Zemenac (UTC) dec. Chris Yankowich (UVA), 8-5; Tied 7-7
157: Andrew Atkinson (UVA) tech fall Andrew Webb (UTC), 18-2 (4:33); UVA 12-7
165: Garrett Peppelman (UVA) dec. Dominic Lampe (UTC), 19-13; UVA 15-7
174: Tyler Askey (UVA) dec. Sean Mappes (UTC), 7-3; UVA 18-7
184: John Lampe dec. Will Schany (UVA) 5-2; UVA 18-10
197: Scottie Boykin (UTC) dec. No. 11 Zach Nye (UVA), 7-3; UVA 18-13
285: No. 11 Jared Johnson (UTC) pinned Patrick Gillen, 4:37; UTC 19-18