CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –Bonus-point victories down the stretch sealed the deal for the visiting team on Saturday (Dec. 8) as Virginia (4-3) dropped its dual match with Princeton (2-3) by a score of 28-15 at Memorial Gym.

Virginia won four weight classes, notching decisions from Jake Keating (Naperville, Ill.) at 157 pounds, No. 17 Cam Coy (Jeannette, Pa.) at 165 pounds and Quinn Miller (Lilburn, Ga.) at heavyweight, to go along with a pinfall by Brian Courtney (Sayre, Pa.) at 133 pounds. But, the Tigers won six weight classes and recorded two pins, a major decision and got six points from a forfeit in their final four wins of the dual to secure the victory.

“Last night we won, but quite frankly I wasn’t pleased with the way we competed,” said Virginia head coach Steve Garland. “Today was the opposite and we competed in a way that I thought could make Virginia wrestling proud. I felt like our guys were coming out hot, scoring early in most of the matches and pushing the pace. I felt like we put on a much better show and I’m happy for our guys for that. Even though we lost the match, I think there are more positives to build from than negatives. We never want to be ok with losing, but this is a process and a marathon, not a sprint.”  

The Cavaliers started strong with Jake Keating rallying in the third period, using a takedown and a four-point nearfall to secure a 10-4 decision over Quincy Monday. Coy followed that up with an 8-3 decision over Dale Tiongson to push Virginia out to an early 6-0 lead in the dual.

Princeton then claimed back-to-back decisions at 174 pounds and 184 pounds to tie the match before fifth-ranked Patrick Brucki would record a victory by fall over No. 11 Jay Aiello (Chantilly, Va.) at 197 pounds for the Tigers’ first lead of the day.

Miller cut into the lead with a 12-7 decision over Kendall Elfstrum at heavyweight before a Virginia forfeit at 125 pounds would push the Tigers back out to a nine-point lead at 18-9.
 
Courtney then recorded his pin in 0:55 seconds at 133 pounds to pull Virginia within three points at 18-15, but Princeton would notch its second pin of the afternoon at 141 pounds to put the dual out of reach. Matthew Kolodzik, the nation’s top-ranked wrestler at 149 pounds, closed the day for Princeton with a major decision and the final 28-15 margin of victory.

Virginia will return to action on December 20, traveling to face No. 6 Missouri in a neutral-site dual in Kansas City, Mo.

Princeton 28, Virginia 15
157: Jake Keating (UVA) dec. Quincy Monday (PU), 10-4 – UVA 3, PU 0
165: No. 17 Cam Coy (UVA) dec. Dale Tiongson (PU), 8-3 – UVA 6, PU 0
174: Travis Stefanik (PU) dec. Robby Patrick (UVA), 7-5 – UVA 6, PU 3
184: Kevin Parker (PU) dec. Will Schany (UVA), 5-2 – UVA 6, PU 6
197: No. 5 Patrick Brucki (PU) pinned No. 11 Jay Aiello (UVA), 1:05 – PU 12, UVA 6
HWT: Quinn Miller (UVA) dec. Kendall Elfstrum (PU), 12-7 – PU 12, UVA 9
125: No. 14 Patrick Glory (PU) by forfeit – PU 18, UVA 9 
133: Brian Courtney (UVA) pinned Jake Adkins (PU), 0:55 – PU 18, UVA 15
141: Marshall Keller (PU) pinned Scott Kiyono (UVA), 4:17 – PU 24, UVA 15
149: No. 1 Matthew Kolodzik (PU) major dec. Sam Martino (UVA), 13-1 – PU 28, UVA 15