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On paper, it was all Rutgers.
On the mat, it was all Rutgers.
VICTORY! No. 18 Rutgers claims seven out of 10 bouts to secure the 24-11 road win over Indiana!#RelentlessPursuit | #GoRU pic.twitter.com/ZsZWbRCwUn
— Rutgers Wrestling (@RUWrestling) February 9, 2019
The Scarlet Knights now stand at 10-5 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten. This is their 13th consecutive winning season, including 12 under head coach Scott Goodale. Here’s some observations:
Ashnault Sluggish
It was a bit surprising to see Anthony Ashnault taken down three times during this match. He attempted a headlock and throw in the first period, which if he stuck it, would have resulted in a pin. He squeaked out an 8-7 win over Fernie Silva to get Rutgers on the board first (the match started at 149).
Here's that tilt to seal the match for Ashnault. #RelentlessPursuit pic.twitter.com/KZ8z40n58G
— Rutgers Wrestling (@RUWrestling) February 9, 2019
He did look a little slower tonight. This could be a result of coming off the emotional high of beating Matt Kolodzik, but a win is a win. I’d expect a better performance Sunday.
No one tougher than Willie Scott
This poor guy. Scott just returned from his rib injury and was wrestling well prior to re-injuring himself. I give him all the credit in the world. Scott was able to hang in there and hold Norman Conley to a decision to save team points. Scott was visibly upset and in obvious pain during the later parts of the match and managed to battle through the excruciating pain.
184 | Willie Scott, who battled an injury the entire match, loses to Norman Conley by just decision, 13-7.
— Rutgers Wrestling (@RUWrestling) February 9, 2019
No. 18 RU 9, IU 7 at intermission
Goodale preaches about Scott’s toughness. Reward this man at the end of the year. I’d expect Nick Gravina to take the mat Sunday vs. Purdue.
Rutgers takes Seven Bouts
Guys like Christian Colucci and Peter Lipari came up with bonus points which helped extend the team score lead. Those were some good performances on the road, particularly from Lipari. He was able to consistently score and earned a major decision. That should help him moving forward.
Joe Grello and Matt Correnti grinded out good wins. Grello needed it for Big Ten seeding especially.
Box Score:
149: No. 1 Anthony Ashnault (RU) DEC Fernie Silva (IU) 8-7
157: No. 17 John Van Brill (RU) DEC Jake Danishek 5-2
165: Bryce Martin (IU) MD Jake Benner (RU) 13-0
174: Joe Grello (RU) DEC Jake Covaciu (IU) 3-2
184: Norman Conley (IU) DEC Willie Scott 13-7
197: Matt Correnti (RU) DEC Jake Kleimola (IU) 7-4
HWT: Christian Colucci (RU) MD Fletcher Miller (IU) 10-1
125: Elijah Oliver (IU) MD Shane Metzler (RU) 16-5
133: No. 4 Nick Suriano (RU) MD Garrett Pepple 20-7
141: Peter Lipari (RU) MD Kyle Luigs (IU) 11-2
Final score: Rutgers over Indiana 24-11
With our win tonight over the Hoosiers, we've secured our 13th consecutive winning season and 12th since Scott Goodale took over the program in 2007.#RelentlessPursuit | #GoRU pic.twitter.com/FMXboVwV8W
— Rutgers Wrestling (@RUWrestling) February 9, 2019