DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras Wrestling team got themselves back on the winning track Friday night, as they defeated rival University of Dubuque, 24-18. The Duhawks won six of the 10 matches en route to victory and three matches by bonus points. The win moved Loras to 9-10 on the season and 3-3 in the Iowa Conference.

The dual got started at 125# where Duhawk freshman Dayton Olson lost a 7-3 decision to Joey Cisneros. Cisneros used three takedowns to control the match and get the victory.

The Spartans got out to a 6-0 lead when freshman Michael Triplett lost a tight 3-0 match to Spartan Nicholas Rivera, who was a 2014 NCAA National Qualifier. Rivera used an early takedown and solid defense to keep the young Duhawk in check.

Loras got their first victory on the night when fifth-ranked Nick Steger got a fall in 3:19 at 141# to even the dual at 6-6. Steger scored a quick takedown in the first period off of a single leg shot, and wore the Spartan wrestler out in the first period before getting the fall early in the second. With the win, Steger improved to 20-0 on the year.

The Duhawks would take the lead for good at 149# when junior Evan Weaver pulled a 7-5 upset over No. 9 Brain Travis. Weaver used a takedown and a three-point near fall in the second period to jump out to a commanding lead. With Travis battling to the very end, Weaver's defense stood tall and weathered the attack to earn a valuable three points.



More bonus points came at 157# when sixth-ranked senior Steve DeWitt earned a 15-6 major decision over Adrian Collier. DeWitt scored six takedowns in the match to dominate from the neutral position and run his winning streak to 18. DeWitt now stands at 27-2 on the season.

Junior Greg Vance kept the locomotive running at 165# when he won a close 8-5 match over Manny Mendoza. Vance repeatedly utilized his low single-leg attack, scoring three takedowns with it to give the Duhawks a 16-6 lead.

A fall by Elton Turnage over Tyler Ries at 174# brought the dual to 16-12. Wrestling in favor of the injured senior Joe Butler, Ries and Turnage exchanged blows in the first period, but it was Turnage who turned Ries to his back and earned Dubuque six points.

In the eighth match of the night, tempers flared between freshman Awais Arain and Matt Leveille. After appealing to the referee for a call, Leveille took two swings at Arain's head, which cost him a point as he was called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Arain kept his composure under control and used the added flair to his advantage, scoring multiple near-falls on his way to a 20-4 technical fall.



At 197#, the Duhawks earned their final victory of the night thanks to junior Malcolm Watson's 8-2 decision over Dominic Steer. Watson had trouble scoring early on, buy used a big move with near-fall points to get the victory and seal the Duhawk win.

In the final bout of the night, freshman Connor Swier was pinned in the first period, making the final score 24-18 Loras.

Loras will be back in action next Friday as they host top-ranked Wartburg College. The Knights have won the last four NCAA National Championships and look to have the pieces to repeat again in 2015. The dual will start at 7 p.m. in the Athletic & Wellness Center.



Loras 24, No. 30 Univ. of Dubuque 18
125- Joey Cisneros (UD) dec. Dayton Olson (LOR), 7-3, 0-3
133- Nicholas Rivera (UD) dec. Michael Triplett (LOR) 3-0, 0-6
141- #5 Nick Steger (LOR) fall Stephen Rosenburg (UD), 3:19, 6-6
149- Evan Weaver (LOR) dec. #9 Brian Travis (UD), 7-5, 9-6
157- #6 Steve DeWitt (LOR) maj. dec. Adrian Collier (UD), 15-6, 13-6
165- Greg Vance (LOR) dec. Manny Mendoza (UD), 8-5, 16-6
174- Elton Turnage (UD) fall Tyler Ries (LOR), 3:48, 16-12
184- Awais Arain (LOR) tech. fall Matt Leveille (UD), 20-4, 21-12
197- Malcolm Watson (LOR) dec. Dominic Sterr, 8-2, 24-12
285- Dan Howell (UD) fall Connor Swier (LOR), 2:07, 24-18