The win snapped a three-match losing streak for the Pack as they improved to 9-10-1 overall and 2-4 in the conference on the season. Virginia Tech fell to 6-8 for the year and 1-3 in conference matches.
The Wolfpack got off to a nice start winning the first two matches before Virginia Tech won the next five. The first match began as Jalil Dozier received a forfeit at 165 pounds. Ray Ward then extended the Pack's lead to 9-0 as he defeated Andre Johnson 11-7. Ward recorded an early takedown and three near-fall points to take a 6-3 lead after the first period. The second period began as Ward recorded two escapes to lead 8-5 heading into the third period. In the period Ward recorded another takedown and an escape to win 11-7.
Trailing 9-0, Virginia Tech started to get rolling as they won the next five matches. Tommy Spellman got it started for the Hokies at 184 pounds when he won by technical fall over Dane Coffee 17-0. D.J Bruce followed in his footsteps by winning a major decision over Mark Jahad 15-6 to tie the team at 9-9.
Virginia Tech had their first lead of the night after Bobby Isola narrowly lost 3-2 to David Marone at heavyweight. The difference in the match was Marone's takedown in the second period. Justin Staylor was up next for the Hokies at 125 pounds as he defeated Taylor Cummings by major decision 17-8. This match increased his teams lead to 16-9. Jared Jones upped the Hokies lead to 19-9 after an 8-3 decision over Darius Little.
No. 5 Joe Caramanica began to right the ship for the Pack by beating Chris Diaz 6-4 in overtime. Although Caramanica dictated the pace throughout the match, it was scoreless after the first period. In the second period Caramanica recorded and escape and a takedown to lead 3-0. In the third period Diaz recorded a takedown and two near-fall points. Caramanica was able to escape with two seconds left in regulation to force an overtime. In overtime Caramanica was again dictating the pace and recorded the winning takedown 35 seconds into the extra period to cut the Hokies lead to 19-12.
Next up for the Pack was No. 9 Darrion Caldwell who recorded his nation-leading 19th pin of the season over Paul Grinups. Caldwell took Grinups down early in the match and received three near-fall points for a cradle. Caldwell went back to the cradle to secure the pin only 1:11 into the match cutting the lead to 19-18. Caldwell's pin moved him into a tie for third place in Wolfpack history for the most pins in a career with 29.
It all came down to the final match of the night between Colton Palmer and Matt Rosen. Palmer set the tone from the beginning recording a takedown in the first 20 seconds. He added another takedown later in the period to carry a 4-2 lead after the first period. In the second period Palmer recorded two more takedowns and went on to win the match 8-3. That win capped off a remarkable comeback for the Pack with a 21-19 victory over the Hokies.
The Wolfpack will return to action on March 8th as travel to College Park, Md. for the 2008 ACC Championships. Taylor Cummings, Joe Caramanica, Darrion Caldwell and Ryan Goodman look to defend their titles from last seasons ACC Championship winning team.
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