GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNC Greensboro and Utah Valley each won five bouts, but the Wolverines’ pair of pins was the difference as they went on to defeat the Spartans, 21-17, on Thursday evening in Fleming Gymnasium.

The Spartans are now 0-1 this season, while the Wolverines moved to 1-0 on the year.

The two teams started at 149 pounds where Justin Morrill gave Utah Valley an early advantage. Morrill scored a reversal to start the second period before pinning Alejandro Soto-Perez at the 4:35 mark to give the Wolverines a 6-0 lead. Travis Sheehy helped the Spartans cut into that lead as he used a pair of near-falls to score a 10-5 decision over Richard Winger.

At 165 pounds, Victor Hojilla tied the team score at six with a decision victory. Hojilla had a takedown in the first and second period before scoring an insurance reversal in the third period to win, 6-2. Brad Darrington took the lead back for Utah Valley as he defeated Byron Sigmon, 5-2, with riding time to take a 9-6 team lead.

Casen Eldredge padded the Utah Valley lead as he scored a second period escape and earned a point for riding time to score a 2-0 win over Andrew Saunders. Jeremy Cannon brought the Spartans back within three team points with his win at 197 pounds. Cannon scored a late takedown in the first period and another in the third to defeat Josh Wood, 4-2.

Peter Sturgeon gave the Spartans a 13-12 team lead after he scored a major decision at 285 pounds. Sturgeon scored six takedowns in the match and scored a riding time point to win, 13-5, over Dylan Stadel. The Spartan lead didn’t last long as No. 11 Ben Kjar scored a first period pin over Eric Chandler retake the lead for Utah Valley, 18-13.

Jeff Newby sealed the victory for Utah Valley with his win at 133 pounds. Newby scored a takedown with one minute remaining in the match and held on for a 5-4 win over Angle Garcia to give the Wolverines a 21-13 advantage. In the final match of the evening, Ivan Lopouchanski recorded four takedowns and a reversal as he went on to an 11-2 major decision victory against Marty Carlson to make the final team score, 21-17.

The Spartans return to action on Saturday as they travel down I-40 to compete in the NC State Open.

AGATE

Utah Valley 21, UNC Greensboro 17

149: Justin Morill (UVU) fall Alejandro Soto-Perez (UNCG), 4:35; 6-0 UVU

157: Travis Sheehy (UNCG) dec. Richard Winger (UVU), 10-5; 6-3 UVU

165: Victor Hojilla (UNCG) dec. Monte Shmaulhaus (UVU), 6-2; 6-6

174: Brad Darrington (UVU) dec. Byron Sigmon (UNCG), 5-2; 9-6 UVU

184: Casen Eldredge (UVU) dec. Andrew Saunders (UNCG), 2-0; 12-6 UVU

197: Jeremy Cannon (UNCG) dec. Josh Wood (UVU), 4-2; 12-9 UVU

285: Peter Sturgeon (UNCG) maj. dec. Dylan Stadel (UVU), 13-5; 13-12 UNCG

125: No. 11 Ben Kjar (UVU) fall Eric Chandler (UNCG), 2:15; 18-13 UVU

133: Jeff Newby (UVU) dec. Angel Garcia (UNCG), 5-4; 21-13 UVU

141: Ivan Lopouchanski (UNCG) maj. dec. Marty Carlson (UVU), 11-2; 21-17 UVU