Senior 197-pounder Alex Polizzi was integral in the Wildcats' successful afternoon, winning with pins in his first three matches of the day before claiming a 9-8 victory against 11th-ranked Abram Ayala of Princeton to turn the tide of the final dual. The Tigers led by an 18-14 margin with two matches remaining and were on the cusp of clinching the dual with Ayala leading Polizzi 8-7 in the third period, but the senior from Beloit, Wis., thrilled the home fans with a last-minute takedown and ride-out to steal the win and improve to 12-1 this season.
Senior heavyweight Mike McMullan then put the Wildcats over the top with his 8-0 major decision win in the last match of the day. Like Polizzi, the No. 1-ranked McMullan also posted pins in his first three outings on Saturday before closing with the bonus-point win against Princeton.
No. 1-ranked 149-pounder Jason Tsirtsis also earned four wins on the day, including a fall against Davidson, to improve to 14-0 this season. All-American Pierce Harger finished 4-0 Saturday with three major decision victories, with two of his wins coming one weight class up at 174 pounds.
Garrison White (125) and Dominick Malone (133) each chipped in major decision wins to lead off the dual with Princeton, earning what proved to be important bonus points for the Wildcats in a closely contested dual.
Below are match-by-match recaps and complete results of each dual at the 2014 Windy City Duals. The Wildcats are now off from dual competition until a trip to No. 1-ranked Minnesota on Thursday, Dec. 18, in a match to be televised live on the Big Ten Network. It'll then be time to turn their attention to the hosting of the 52nd Ken Kraft Midlands Championships Dec. 29-30 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Northwestern got off to a strong start against Cal Poly when Garrison White earned a 10-2 major decision over Isaac Blackburn for his fourth victory of the season, a win that preceded back-to-back first-period pins for the Wildcats by Dominick Malone and Jameson Oster. After alternating forfeits for either team, eighth-ranked Pierce Harger secured his first victory of the day with a 13-1 major decision against Travis Berridge.
Cal Poly countered with a pair of hard-earned victories at 174 and 184 pounds, but Alex Polizzi needed just 35 seconds to pin Poly's J.T. Goodwin, and Mike McMullan followed suit with his first fall of the season to wrap up a 38-12 victory for the Wildcats.
No. 16 Northwestern 38, Cal Poly 12
125: Garrison White (NU) maj. dec. Isaac Blackburn (POLY), 10-2
133: Dominick Malone (NU) FALL Victor Trujillo (POLY), 1:33
141: Jameson Oster (NU) FALL Jack Kim (POLY), 2:10
149: #1 Jason Tsirtsis (NU) win by forfeit
157: Colt Shorts (POLY) win by forfeit
165: #8 Pierce Harger (NU) maj. dec. Travis Berridge (POLY), 13-1
174: Mitch Woods (POLY) dec. Ben Sullivan (NU), 7-4
184: Nick Feigener (POLY) dec. Mitch Sliga (NU), 6-5
197: #9 Alex Polizzi (NU) FALL J.T. Goodwin (POLY), 0:35
Hwt: #1 Mike McMullan (NU) FALL Nicolas Johnson (POLY), 3:25
The action was tighter when the Wildcats squared off with Drexel, which jumped to a 9-0 dual lead after two matches. Drexel's Tanner Shoap began the 125-pound match with a first-period takedown before NU's Garrison White tied the score late in the third with a two of his own, but Shoap managed a reversal in the final seconds of the match to claim a 4-2 decision.
Drexel's Kevin Devoy then managed a fall of Dominick Malone to earn six more points for the Dragons, but the Wildcats began their comeback with a pair of decision victories by Jameson Oster at 141 and No. 1-ranked Jason Tsirtsis at 149. The Dragons had the benefit of a Wildcats forfeit at 157 pounds to go up 15-6, but Ben Sullivan came through with a key 9-5 decision win at 165 to begin a string of five straight Wildcats victories to close the dual. The stretch included a bonus-point win by Harger -- who swapped with Sullivan and wrestled up from his usual spot at 165 -- and a pair of first-period pins by Polizzi and McMullan.
No. 16 Northwestern 28, Drexel 15
125: Tanner Shoap (DREX) dec. Garrison White (NU), 4-2
133: Kevin Devoy (DREX) FALL Dominick Malone (NU), 4:11
141: Jameson Oster (NU) dec. David Pearce (DREX), 9-2
149: #1 Jason Tsirtsis (NU) dec. Matthew Cimato (DREX), 6-1
157: Noel Blanco (DREX) win by forfeit
165: Ben Sullivan (NU) dec. Nicholas Elmer (DREX), 9-5
174: #8 Pierce Harger (NU) maj. dec. Stephen Loiseau (DREX), 11-1
184: Mitch Sliga (NU) dec. Alexander DeCiantis, 4-2
197: #9 Alex Polizzi (NU) FALL Joshua Murphy (DREX), 2:01
Hwt: #1 Mike McMullan (NU) FALL Joey Goodhart (DREX), 2:31
Northwestern won all seven bouts that were contested in its dual with Davidson, surrendering only six points by forfeit at 157 pounds en route to a 47-6 victory. No. 1-ranked Jason Tsirtsis posted his only pin of the day in the match, while Ben Sullivan impressed at 165 pounds with his 10-1 major decision victory over Patric Devlin. The 'Cats closed the dual with three straight falls in the upper weights, including Mitch Sliga's first pin of the year at 184.
No. 16 Northwestern 47, Davidson 6
125: Garrison White (NU) win by forfeit
133: Dominick Malone (NU) dec. Anthony Elias (DAV), 7-2
141: Jameson Oster (NU) win by forfeit
149: #1 Jason Tsirtsis (NU) FALL Michael Shanahan (DAV), 1:15
157: Zach Colangelo (DAV) win by forfeit
165: Ben Sullivan (NU) maj. dec. Patric Devlin (DAV), 10-1
174: #8 Pierce Harger (NU) maj. dec. Konner Pritchard (DAV), 9-0
184: Mitch Sliga (NU) FALL Michael Moore (DAV), 5:37
197: #9 Alex Polizzi (NU) FALL Ian Solcz (DAV), 1:35
Hwt: #1 Mike McMullan (NU) FALL Ed Isola (DAV), 1:19
NU's Garrison White got the Wildcats off to another good start with a takedown and three near-fall points in the first period against Princeton's Ryan Cash. White added another takedown in the second period and ultimately claimed a 12-2 major decision with nearly five minutes of riding time to his credit, giving NU a 4-0 advantage.
Malone then came on at 133 pounds and nearly secured a first-period pin against Christian Innarella, but instead settled for a three-point near-fall. Malone remained on the attack in the ensuing period and worked his way to a 15-2 major decision victory and an 8-0 Wildcats lead. Chicagoland native and Princeton 141-pounder Jordan Laster put the Tigers on the board, however, with a hard-earned 5-3 decision over Jameson Oster.
At 149 pounds, Jason Tsirtsis found himself locked in a tight battle with Princeton's Adam Krop, needing a third-period takedown and his 1:48 of riding time to secure a 4-2 decision and improve to 14-0 on the year.
The Wildcats surrendered six points with a forfeit at 157 pounds but put some more distance between them and the Tigers when Pierce Harger produced a takedown just seconds into the third period to open a 5-0 lead on Jonathan Schleifer, eventually winning 6-0 with riding time. In the following bout, however, Princeton's Troy Murtha managed to pin Ben Sullivan in only 58 seconds, reclaiming a 15-14 dual lead for the visitors from New Jersey.
Princeton's Brett Harner then held on for a 4-1 decision over Mitch Sliga at 184, giving the Tigers a four-point lead with two matches remaining.
The fans in Welsh-Ryan were then treated to a memorable matchup between the nation's No. 9 and No. 11-ranked 197-pounders in the country, NU's Alex Polizzi and Princeton's Abram Ayala. Ayala got on the board first after a video review resulted in the officials crediting him with a takedown that was previously not given, but Polizzi was undeterred by the ruling. The match remained tied at five entering the final period before a second stalling warning against Polizzi and an Ayala escape gave the Tiger a two-point edge. But two takedowns by Polizzi in the wild sprint to the finish gave him the win and set up McMullan for the clinching 8-0 win at heavyweight.
No. 16 Northwestern 21, Princeton 18
125: Garrison White (NU) maj. dec. Ryan Cash (PU), 12-2
133: Dominick Malone (NU) maj. dec. Christian Innarella (PU), 15-2
141: Jordan Laster (PU) dec. Jameson Oster (NU), 5-3
149: #1 Jason Tsirtsis (NU) dec. Adam Krop (PU), 4-2
157: Chris Perez (PU) win by forfeit
165: #8 Pierce Harger (NU) dec. Jonathan Schleifer (PU), 6-0
174: Troy Murtha (PU) FALL Ben Sullivan (NU), 0:58
184: Brett Harner (PU) dec. Mitch Sliga (NU), 4-1
197: #9 Alex Polizzi (NU) vs. #11 Abram Ayala (PU), 9-8
Hwt: #1 Mike McMullan (NU) maj. dec. Ray O'Donnell (PU), 8-0
Other Results from the Windy City Duals
Drexel 39, Davidson 0
125: Tanner Shoap (DREX) winner by forfeit
133: Kevin Devoy Jr. (DREX) dec. Anthony Elias (DAV) , 9-2
141: Franco Ferraina (DREX) tech. fall James McCord (DAV), 18-2 6:10
149: Matthew Cimato (DREX) dec. Kevin Birmingham (DAV), 8-2
157: Noel Blanco (DREX) maj. dec. Zach Colangelo (DAV), 14-4
165: Nick Elmer (DREX) dec. Patrick Devlin (DAV), 13-8
174: Stephen Loiseau (DREX) dec. Nathan Powers (DAV), 6-2
184: Alex DeCiantis (DREX) FALL Ryan Devlin (DAV), 0:56
197: Joshua Murphy (DREX) dec. Ian Solcz (DAV), 7-3
Hwt: Joey Goodhart (DREX) dec. Eddie Isola (DAV), 6-2
Princeton 26, Eastern Michigan 11
125: Shayne Wireman (EMU) maj. dec. Ryan Cash (PRIN), 11-2
133: Vincent Pizzuto (EMU) maj. dec. Christian Innarella (PRIN), 14-3
141: Jordan Laster (PRIN) dec. Mike Shaw (EMU), 6-1
149: #20 Adam Krop (PRIN) FALL LaRone Mack (EMU), 1:40
157: Brandon Zeerip (EMU) dec. Francesco Fabozzi (PRIN), 9-8
165: Jonathan Schliefer (PRIN) maj. dec. Devan Marry (EMU), 13-4
174: Judd Ziegler (PRIN) maj. dec. Kayne MacCallum (EMU), 10-2
184: Brett Harner (PRIN) dec. Mike Curby (EMU), 7-3
197: #11 Abram Ayala (PRIN) dec. Anthony Abro (EMU), 10-4
Hwt: Ray O'Donnell (PRIN) dec. Gage Hutchison (EMU), 2-1
Princeton 48, Davidson 3
125: Ryan Cash (PU) winner by forfeit
133: Anthony Elias (DAV) dec. Christian Innarella (PU), 6-2
141: Jordan Laster (PU) winner by forfeit
149: #20 Adam Krop (PU) FALL Kevin Birmingham (DAV), 6:58
157: Chris Perez (PU) maj. dec. Zach Colangelo (DAV), 13-2
165: Jonathan Schliefer (PU) FALL Patrick Devlin (DAV), 4:30
174: Judd Ziegler (PU) dec. Konner Pritchard (DAV), 6-0
184: Troy Murtha (PU) FALL Ryan Devlin (DAV), 0:33
197: Ian Baker (PU) FALL Ian Solcz (DAV), 2:35
Hwt: Ray O'Donnell (PU) tech. fall Eddie Isola (DAV), 16-0 5:35
Eastern Michigan 30, Cal Poly 7
125: Shayne Wireman (EMU) Tech Fall Isaac Blackburn (POLY), 15-0/5:50
133: Vincent Pizzuto (EMU) dec. Victor Trujillo (POLY), 5-2
141: Mike Shaw (EMU) dec. Jack Connor Kim (POLY), 6-2
149: LaRone Mack (EMU) win by forfeit
157: Brandon Zeerip (EMU) dec. Colt Shorts (POLY), 9-7
165: Travis Berridge (POLY) dec. Austin Geerlings (EMU), 5-4 (TB-1)
174: Kayne MacCallum (EMU) maj. dec. Mitch Woods (POLY), 11-3
184: Nick Feigener (POLY) maj. dec. Mike Curby (EMU), 15-3
197: Anthony Abro (EMU) dec. J.T. Goodwin (POLY), 2-1
Hwt: Cole Dillman (EMU) dec. Nicolas Johnson (POLY), 6-1
Princeton 35, Cal Poly 6
125: Yoshito Funakoshi (POLY) dec. Jacob Intrator (PU), 7-6
133: Victor Trujillo (POLY) dec. Christian Innarella (PU), 9-7
141: Jordan Laster (PU) dec. Brandan Rocha (POLY), 8-2
149: #20 Adam Krop (PU) winner by forfeit
157: Chris Perez (PU) dec. Colt Shorts (POLY) 4-1
165: Jonathan Schliefer (PU) dec. Travis Berridge (POLY) 12-5
174: Troy Murtha (PU) FALL Joe Applegate (POLY), 1:36
184: Brett Harner (PU) FALL Nick Feigener (POLY), 2:07
197: #11 Abram Ayala (PU) maj. dec. J.T. Goodwin (POLY), 13-3
Hwt: Ray O'Donnell (PU) maj. dec. Nicolas Johnson (POLY), 10-0
Eastern Michigan 22, Drexel 19
125: Shayne Wireman (EMU) win by forfeit
133: Kevin Devoy Jr. (DREX) dec. Vincent Pizzuto (EMU), 5-4
141: David Pearce (DREX) maj. dec. Mike Shaw (EMU), 8-0
149: Matthew Cimato (DREX) FALL LaRone Mack (EMU), 5:55
157: Brandon Zeerip (EMU) dec. Noel Blanco (DREX), 5-3
165: Devan Marry (EMU) maj. dec. Nick Elmer (DREX), 9-1
174: Stephen Loiseau (DREX) dec. Kayne MacCallum (EMU), 6-2
184: Alex DeCiantis (DREX) dec. Mike Curby (EMU), 3-2
197: Anthony Abro (EMU) dec. Joshua Murphy (DREX), 2-1
285: Gage Hutchison (EMU) FALL Joey Goodhart (DREX), 0:26
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