John Velez (Kings Mills, Ohio/Kings) kicked things off for the Wildcats by facing Pat Castillo at 125 lbs. Velez scored first, notching two points on a takedown with just over 20 seconds to go in the first period. After Velez scored a point on an escape early in the second, he increased his lead to 5-0 after taking Castillo down with one minute remaining in the second. Castillo was awarded one point for a late escape and Velez went into the final period with a 5-1 lead.
After Castillo tied the match midway through the final period, Velez scored a reversal to take a two-point lead. With under five seconds remaining, however, Castillo notched a takedown to send the match into overtime.
In the overtime session, Velez shot and hit early, to take the match 9-7 and improve his record to 3-0 on the year.
At 133 lbs. senior Daniel Quintela (St. Paul, Minn./Highland Park) fought hard against NIU's Andy Hiatt, but ultimately fell 5-3.
In arguably Northwestern's most dominating match, No. 9 Ryan Lang (North Royalton, Ohio/St. Edward) pinned NIU's 13th-ranked Josh Wooten. Lang started off fast against Wooten, notching a takedown just 30 seconds into the match. Lang recorded a reversal with 1:40 remaining in the second period before recording a fall at 3:37, giving the Wildcats a 9-3 lead through three weight classes.
"I felt Ryan Lang wrestled very well," head coach Tim Cysewski said. "He wrestled with maturity and confidence, and it was nice to see him perform like he did."
Freshman Brandon Lozdoski (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) filled the 149-pound slot, and faced Northern Illinois' 10th-ranked Mike Grimes. Lozdoski only trailed 4-1 entering the third period, but Grimes scored on a series of late points to take the match 11-2.
With the Wildcats holding onto a slim 9-7 lead, sophomore Greg Hagel came through huge for the Wildcats at 157 lbs., beating the Huskies' Aaron Owen 9-6. Owen struck first, hitting on a takedown with just over two minutes remaining in the first period. Hagel brought the match within one when he controlled a neutral position. After taking Owen down by his right leg for two points, Owen quickly responded with a reversal to regain the lead.
Owen scored on another reversal early in the second, but Hagel responded with an escape to make the score 6-4. Hagel tied the match at 6-6 on a takedown, and went into the third tied at 6-6.
Hagel tallied an escape early in the third, then went up by three when he took advantage of a missed shot by Owen and notched another takedown.
With his win, Hagel gave the Wildcats a 12-7 lead heading into the heavier weights, where Cysewski expected to have success against the Huskies.
No. 19 Will Durkee (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shady Side Academy) extended Northwestern's lead, when he recorded NU's second pin of the night against the Huskies' Johnny Galloway.
Durkee went right after Galloway, shooting for his right leg and recording a takedown just 20 seconds into the first period. After Galloway brought the score to 2-1 on an escape, Durkee weaved through a takedown attempt early in the second period to increase his lead to 4-1. Galloway again scored on an escape, but Durkee controlled the action for a majority of the second period and went into the final stanza with a 4-2 lead. Galloway brought the score to 4-3 on an escape midway through the period, but Durkee wouldn't be caught on any of his takedown attempts.
On a Galloway shot attempt late in the third, Durkee spun, got a hold of his leg and notched a takedown. After getting position, Durkee recorded a fall at 6:58 to give Northwestern an 18-7 lead.
In another bout of nationally ranked wrestlers, No. 2 Jake Herbert (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) faced NIU's 18th-ranked Danny Burk at 174 lbs. Herbert was in control from beginning to end, taking a 2-0 lead after a takedown early in the first. After Burk scored on an escape in the second, Herbert responded with another takedown to take a 4-1 lead. Herbert thwarted a Burk attempt and scored on another takedown with 30 second left in the third. Burke scored three late points, but Herbert took the riding time point and took the match 8-4, improving his season record to 5-0.
With a 21-7 lead, No. 14 Mike Tamillow (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick) topped Nick McClone at 184 lbs.
Tamillow got on the board first by recording a takedown with 30 second remaining in the first period. After entering the second stanza with a 2-0 lead, Tamillow scored on a reversal, taking a 4-0 lead. After another reversal in the third, Tamillow recorded three late points for a near fall and went on to win 10-0.
After Tamillow's major decision win, Northwestern held a 25-7 lead heading into the last two weight classes.
At 197 lbs, No. 7 Matt Delguyd (Mayfield Heights, Ohio/Mayfield) won in the third overtime session, beating Northern Illinois' Derick Hunsinger, 5-3.
After the two battled to a stalemate for the first 5:50, Hunsinger was awarded a late stalling point and Delguyd entered the third period down 1-0. After another stalling point, Delguyd recorded an escape to bring the score to 2-1. Delguyd turned up his intensity with a minute left in the final period, shooting repeatedly for Hunsinger's legs, but just couldn't hit. With 20 second remaining, however, Delguyd was awarded a point for stalling and the two went into overtime.
After a scoreless first overtime period, Hunsinger took the lead on an escape. Delguyd responded with an escape of his own, then notched a takedown for the 5-3 triple-overtime win.
With the Wildcats up 28-7, No. 5 Dustin Fox (Galion, Ohio/Galion) faced Joe Sapp at 184 lbs.
Fox got on the board first when recorded an escape midway through the second period. After Sapp tallied an escape early in the third, he scored on a takedown with 10 seconds remaining, taking the match 3-1.
Overall, Northwestern went 7-3 in the match and improved its record to 1-0 on the year.
"I'm pleased with the win today. Everyone wrestled well, and I couldn't have asked for a better performance for our first dual," Cysewski said.
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