Sioux Falls, S.D. – For the first time this season the No. 7 Minnesota State Mavericks experienced the taste of defeat in NSIC action as they came out on the losing end of a 21-10 dual against the No. 2 Augustana Vikings on Friday night.

 

Minnesota State would record just three wins on the night as each individually ranked Maverick won his respective match. Senior Andy Forstner (No. 2, 125-lbs) got the Mavericks out to an early 3-0 lead as he won a 3-1 decision over Al Meger. However, things would head south quickly for the Mavericks from this point as they went on to lose the next five matches before earning their next win.

 

Ben Becker (174-lbs) would give the Mavericks their second win of the night as the No. 8 ranked senior won a 5-3 decision over the No. 6 ranked Carl Serck leaving the Mavericks trailing 15-6 with three matches remaining.

 

The Mavericks would win their final match of the night following Becker’s win as junior Aaron Norgren (No. 5, 184-lbs) collected his second major decision win in as many nights defeating Tom Davies 13-3. The win decreased the Vikings lead to just five but their final two wrestlers would close out the dual with back-to-back wins to finish off the Mavericks.

 

With the loss, the Mavericks fall to 8-3 overall and 4-1 in the NSIC. The loss also marks the first time the Mavericks have lost a dual in their last six events. The Vikings will improve to 11-1 overall with the win and remain unblemished in NSIC action with a 5-0 record.

 

The Mavericks will take a break from conference action in their next dual as they are set to host Nebraska-Omaha on February 4. The dual is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm at Bresnan Arena.

 

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