@UNCBearsWrestle Goes 1-1 to Kick Off 2015-16 Dual Schedule

Thursday, November 12

Tempe, Ariz.

5:00 PM

University of Northern Colorado

Arizona State University

11/12/2015 11:04:00 PM | Wrestling

The Bears fell to Arizona State and defeated Grand Canyon in their first two duals of the season

PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Northern Colorado Bears opened up their 2015-16 dual schedule Thursday evening, traveling to Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona to face the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Grand Canyon Antelopes. The Bears fell to ASU, 21-14, before defeating GCU, 25-16.

"Overall, the team wrestled very well tonight," head coach Troy Nickerson said. "We know where we need to improve and that is important at this point in the season."

In the first dual of the evening, Trey Andrews got things rolling at 125 pounds with an 8-2 win. He was followed in the 133 pound match by true freshman Rico Montoya, who picked up a 15-0 technical fall in his very first collegiate dual and first outing attached as a UNC Bear.

Redshirt junior transfer Eleazar De Luca picked up a big win in his first dual at the Division I level, over 157-pounder Oliver Pierce - a close decision 5-4.

UNC's Dylan Gabel took to the mat at 184 pounds, facing the No. 2 ranked wrestler in the country, Blake Stauffer. Despite losing the match 3-1, Gabel fought hard, impressingly fending off most of Stauffer's attacks.

Trent Noon also picked up a win for the Bears at 197 pounds, defeating Joshua DaSilveira 3-1 in a very back-and-forth match.

"We fought hard and were in just about every match. Rico Montoya looked great for his first time in a UNC singlet - his future is very bright. Eleazar De Luca also did a great job, getting the win against a highly touted opponent to stay perfect on the season."

With their four match wins, the Bears fell short of ASU's 21 team points, racking up 14 with their three decision wins and a technical fall.

After a short trip to Grand Canyon University, the Bears prepared for their second dual of the day against the Lopes.

Northern Colorado won the first five matches of the dual, including technical falls for Trey Andrews (125) and Sonny Espinoza (141). Montoya picked up his second career dual win, this time by a 5-3 decision.

Senior transfer Timmy Box picked up his first dual win as a Bear, 9-6. He was followed by De Luca earning another win for the Bears, keeping his undefeated streak in tact.

The Bears dropped the next three matches, including a forfeit at 184 pounds, but Noon (197) and Kuck (HWT) both picked up wins for the Bears to secure their win, 25-16.

"Our lightweights dominated the mat wrestling. Sonny looked great up at 141 pounds; this is the best I've seen him wrestle since taking over the program. Dylan Gabel suffered an injury and was unable to continue, but we'll evaluate him and try to get him back on the mat as quickly as possible. Jack Kuck sealed the victory with a tough overtime win."

The Bears remain on the road next week, traveling to Norman, Oklahoma on Nov. 19 [6:00 PM MT] for their first dual against a Big 12 school since becoming an affiliate of the conference.

For more information on the Bears this season, visit UNCBears.com, check out the official Facebook page, or follow them on Twitter at @UNCBearsWrestle.

ASU (21) vs. Northern Colorado (14) Results
125 - No. 17 Trey Andrews (UNC) dec. over Mikel Perales (ASU), 8-2
133 - Rico Montoya (UNC) TF over Cordero Coronado (ASU), 15-0 at 6:00
141 - Robbie Mathers (ASU) dec. over Sonny Espinoza (UNC), 12-8
149 - Matthew Kraus (ASU) MD over Timmy Box (UNC), 12-3
157 - Eleazar De Luca (UNC) dec. over Oliver Pierce (ASU), 5-4
165 - Jacen Petersen (ASU) dec. over Joseph Grable (UNC), 9-4
174 - Zachary Smith (ASU) dec. over Horacio Vialpando (UNC), 6-3
184 - No. 3 Blake Stauffer (ASU) dec. over Dylan Gabel (UNC), 3-1
197 - No. 20 Trent Noon (UNC) dec. over Joshua DaSilveira (ASU), 3-1
HWT - Tanner Hall (ASU) TF over Jack Kuck (UNC), 16-0 at 6:31

GCU (16) vs. Northern Colorado (25) Results
125 - No. 17 Trey Andrews (UNC) TF over Trayton Libolt (GCU), 17-2
133 - Rico Montoya (UNC) dec. over Jauquin Olivas (GCU), 5-3
141 - Sonny Espinoza (UNC) TF over Steven Abayon (GCU), 16-0
149 - Timmy Box (UNC) dec. over Blake Monty (GCU), 9-6
157 - Eleazar De Luca (UNC) dec. over Chayse Jackson (GCU), 8-2
165 - Casey Larson (GCU) fall over Joe Grable (UNC), 0:53
174 - Kenny Moore (GCU) MD over Horacio Vialpando (UNC), 16-5
184 - Cale Wilson (GCU) def. Dylan Gabel (UNC), forfeit
197 - No. 20 Trent Noon (UNC) dec. over Austin Gaun (GCU), 8-2
285 - Jack Kuck (UNC) dec. over Sean Medley (GCU), 2-1 SV1