MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State wrestling suffered its first NSIC loss of the season as it lost to MSU Moorhead 24-16 Thursday evening in Taylor Center.
 
With the loss, the Mavericks fall to 2-5 overall, including a 2-1 record in NSIC action, while the Dragons improved to 5-4, including a 2-0 mark in league action.
 
MSU found its self down early when Trevor Schultz (Fr., 125 lbs.) lost to Blake Bosch by a pinfall at the 6:10 mark.  The next weight class saw the Mavericks forfeit to put the Dragons up 12-0. 
 
Minnesota State's first points on the board were collected  by Alphonso Vruno (So., 141 lbs.) with a 13-8 decision win over Isaac Novacek.  Weston Droegemueller (Fr., 149 lbs.) fought a tough match but would fade in the third period and lost by a decision of 14-9 against Connor MacGregor.
 
Adam Cooling (Fr., 157 lbs.) kept his winning streak alive with a 5-1 decision over Dan Murakami to boost his overall record to 19-5.  Sawyer Hoffman (So., 165 lbs.) won his match with a 7-3 decision over Shawn Porter to bring MSU within six points of the Dragons at 15-9.
 
The turning point of the dual was when Darick Vancura (Fr., 174 lbs.) lost to Conner Monk by a pinfall at the 0:37 mark. Matt Lewellen won the 184-weight class with a 3-1 decision over Scott VanDeLoo (So., 184 lbs.) to secure the win for the Dragons. 
 
Brendan Eichmann (Sr., 197 lbs.) and Corby Running (Sr., 285 lbs.) each won their respective weight classes with a decision and a major decision, respectively.
 
Minnesota State will get an eight-day break after competing in five duals in the last seven days.  MSU returns to action Saturday, Jan. 25, as it hosts Augustana at Taylor Center.