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Providence squeaks out Senior Night dual win, 22-20 over Embry Riddle

Posted at 11:11 PM, Feb 02, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-06 09:21:47-04

(UP ARGOS ATHLETICS)

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – It was a night where #7 University of Providence men’s wrestling had their cake and ate it too. Starting three seniors for seniors night, with multiple weight classes not featuring their usual starter, the Argos still managed to pull out a win over (T14) Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 22-20.

That dual swung on a 157 match that featured two ranked wrestlers, a last-second finish, and highly controversial call. UP (5) Shonn Roberts, usually a 149 wrestler, moved up to 157 to face (T7) James Williams a returning All-American at 157.

Roberts looked outmatched in terms of strength most of the way but a reversal in the second period put him within 2 points. Trailing 8-7 with 15 seconds left, the redshirt-sophomore pulled a takedown to take a 9-8 lead and then turned it into a lightning fast, but controversial pin to win by Fall (6:56).

Had UP lost that match, the Argos would have trailed 15-3. Instead, the score went to a manageable 12-9.

Thanks to Roberts’ pin, a 10-1 major decision from (5) Adrian Lyons-Lopez over (12) Kody Davis, and an Embry-Riddle forfeit at 197, the score sat at 20-19 ERAU heading into the 285 match.

That bought was another meeting of ranked wrestlers, featuring (8) Matt Hopkins against (14) David Rupp. When the two wrestled earlier in the month, Hopkins came away with a 4-1 decision win. It was even closer this time, with the match scoreless after the first two periods. Rupp got the choice for the start of the third period and chose to be on top. Hopkins made him pay for that choice, earning 1 point on the escape and holding steady after that to win a 1-0 decision and win the Argos the match.

UP beat ERAU earlier this year in the National Duals 18-14. The Argo’s record goes to 9-5 with the win.