Rallies Can't Overtake #15 Augustana

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (1/02/16)—Every time No.19-ranked Concordia pushed, No.15-ranked Augustana (S.D.) held its ground and pushed right back.

The Cobbers got to within one point midway through their match with the Vikings, fell behind by eight points, rallied to close the gap to a pair of points with only two matches to go but wound up losing 26-12 to Division II nationally ranked Augustana.

The dual-meet loss is only the second of the season for Concordia but both have come at the hands of teams ranked in the top 15 of Division II. The Cobbers have their four-match win streak come to an end and are now 10-2 on the season. The Vikings win for the fifth straight time and are now 7-1.

The meet started with the 197-lb weight class after the coaches decided to draw for the starting position.

Concordia fell behind 7-0 after a decision and major decision but then Jakob Stageberg and Gabe Foltz started the first CC comeback.

Stageberg came out on the attack in his match at 125, recorded a takedown in the first period and never trailed in his 8-4 decision. He had a takedown in each period as he posted his team-leading 20th win of the season. Stageberg has now won five straight matches and is 20-6 for the season.

Foltz, who is ranked fifth in the nation at 133, followed Stageberg's cue and scored a first-period takedown to take a 2-1 lead into the second period. Another takedown in the second stanza and Foltz was tied 4-4 heading to the final period. He was able to get his third takedown of the match in the final seconds and won 7-4 with riding time.

Foltz has won nine of his last 11 matches and is 14-7 for the year.

Augustana countered Concordia's two straight wins with a pair of victories of their own. A major decision at 141 and then a decision at 149 gave the Vikings a 14-6 lead.

Senior Ben Cousins stopped the losing streak by putting up a commanding 10-4 decision at 157. Neither wreslter scored in the first period and then Cousins rattled off four takedowns in the final two periods to earn the win. He took a 4-0 lead into the third frame and then came up with three straight takedowns in the final 1:30 of the match.

The win continues a successful streak for Cousins. He has recorded eight wins in his last nine matches and is 15-10 for the year.

Sophomore Joe Heinz pulled Concordia within two points when he shutout his opponent at 165. Heinz used a stellar defense and a reversal in the second period coupled with a takedown in the third to win 4-0.

After starting the year at 6-4, Heinz has now won four straight, seven of the past nine and is 15-8 for the year.

The Cobbers' rally would end with Heinz. The final two matches of the day were all Vikings. Augustana showed its nationally-ranked status by finishing off the dual with a pair of pin falls.

WHAT'S NEXT
Concordia will head out on the road for another top tier dual tournament. The Cobbers will participate in the annual Mat Mayhem National Duals on Friday, Jan. 8 and Saturday, Jan. 9. Concordia has finished in the top 3 at the meet, which features the top teams in Division III, the past two seasons.

#19 Concordia vs. #15 Augustana Individual Match Results:
197 - Logan Henning (AU) decision Jake Briggs (CC); 6-4 (Augustana 3-0)
285 - #5 Michael Lowman (AU) major decision Kody Van Den Eykel (CC); 13-4 (Augustana 7-0)
125 - Jakob Stageberg (CC) decision Javier Vieyra (AU); 8-4 (Augustana 7-3)
133 - #5 Gabe Foltz (CC) decision David Potratz (AU); 7-4 (Augustana 7-6)
141 - Brandon Charbonneau (AU) major decision Karl Keeler (CC); 12-3 (Augustana 11-6)
149 - Jacob Anderson (AU) decision Ty Johnson (CC); 4-2 (Augustana 14-6)
157 - Ben Cousins (CC) decision Brandon Chestnut (AU); 10-4 (Augustana 14-9)
165 - Joe Heinz (CC) decision Bruce Lemon (AU); 4-0 (Augustana 14-12)
174 - Ben Goodwin (AU) pin fall Dane Ringquist (CC); 1:13 (Augustana 20-12)
184 - #7 Aero Amo (AU) pin fall Dan Marquette (CC); 0:44 (Augustana 26-12)