LEXINGTON, Va.- After VMI's Tommy Cunningham cut the UNCG margin to one point, back-to-back pins by Mark Ring and Joe Lowe gave the Spartans an insurmountable lead as UNCG took a 29-13 victory Friday evening at the Thunderdome. With the win, the Spartans improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Southern Conference, while VMI falls to 2-5 and 0-1 in the League.
The visitors moved on top early, as junior Jeff Hedges scored an early six points by pinning VMI freshman Johnathan Pope in 2:12 in the first match of the evening, coming at 125 lbs. The hosts fought back immediately though, as junior Tyler Anthony picked up a 6-3 decision at 133 against sophomore Mitchell Johnson.
UNCG junior Chris Bencivenga protected his undefeated dual record, putting up a 12-3 major decision to give the Spartans a 10-3 advantage through three matches. But VMI again answered, this time with a pair of victories as senior Sam Alvarenga improved to 24-4 on the season and 6-1 in duals with his 7-3 decision against sophomore Marcus Hannah, while Cunningham ran his dual mark to 7-0 with a 6-1 decision over Nate Berryman at 157 lbs.
With the Spartan advantage down to one point at 10-9 midway through the match, Mark Ring stepped in against VMI's John Burton at 165 lbs. After an evenly matched opening stanza, Ring took control in the second period, pinning Burton at the 3:46 mark to advance the lead to 16-9.
Two-time reigning Southern Conference champion Joe Lowe next took the mat, facing off with Keydet Kyle Elgert. Lowe ran his dual record to a perfect 5-0 as well, pinning Elgert at the 5:49 mark, making the score 22-9.
The match of the night came at 184 lbs., as UNCG's Scott Snyder went up against VMI's Dustin McCabe. In a low-scoring match, the combatants entered the third period tied at two, as Snyder began the stanza in the down position with a 53-second riding time advantage. Despite numerous attempts, Snyder was unable to escape the grasp of the Keydet, as McCabe endeavored to ride out Snyder for the entire two minutes, ensuring a 3-2 victory thanks to the riding time point. But Snyder finally broke free with 23 seconds remaining, giving himself the 3-2 advantage that he protected until the final horn.
The two teams traded major decisions at the top two weights, with VMI senior Corry Murray turning the trick at 197 and UNCG junior Joe Sheffield doing the same at 285, providing the final margin of 29-13.
The Keydets host their final home match of the season next Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m., when Appalachian State comes to town for a Southern Conference dual. The Spartans next hit the mats Saturday afternoon, as they continue their trip through the Old Dominion by facing off with Virginia at 1 p.m. in Charlottesville.
UNCG 29, VMI 13125- Jeff Hedges (UNCG) pins Johnathan Pope (VMI), 2:12; UNCG 6-0
133- Tyler Anthony (VMI) dec. Mitchell Johnson (UNCG), 6-3; UNCG 6-3
141- Chris Bencivenga (UNCG) maj. dec. Brandon Franklin (VMI), 12-3; UNCG 10-3
149- Sam Alvarenga (VMI) dec. Marcus Hannah (UNCG), 7-3; UNCG 10-6
157- Tommy Cunningham (VMI) dec. Nate Berryman (UNCG), 6-1; UNCG 10-9
165- Mark Ring (UNCG) pins John Burton (VMI), 3:46; UNCG 16-9
174- Joe Lowe (UNCG) pins Kyle Elgert (VMI), 5:49; UNCG 22-9
184- Scott Snyder (UNCG) dec. Dustin McCabe (VMI), 3-2; UNCG 25-9
197- Corry Murray (VMI) maj. dec. Nick Clark (UNCG), 14-1; UNCG 25-13
285- Joe Sheffield (UNCG) maj. dec. Erik Olson (VMI), 15-3; UNCG 29-13
Attendance- 1,077
