Feb. 16, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Purdue University wrestling team wrapped up the Big Ten Duals schedule with a 31-13 loss at 14th-ranked Northwestern University on Friday night. The Boilermakers concluded the regular season at 10-8 overall and 0-8 in conference play, while Northwestern moved to 12-8 (2-5 Big Ten).
A trio of Boilermakers posted victories on the day as sophomores Jake Patacsil and Jake Murphy and freshman Justin Fraga each put points on the board. Fraga opened the match with a 7-3 decision over junior Greg Hagel, marking the fourth straight meet in which the Boilers opened with a win. His 24th victory of the season stands third on the team, while his 5-3 conference record is tied for best on the squad. Fellow freshman Jason Martin suffered a narrow 12-10 loss at 174 pounds to even the count, 3-3, and the Wildcats gained a 19-3 advantage after the 184-285 pound matches, posting two falls and a major decision.
The gap continued to grow at 125 and 133 pounds as Northwestern stole a pair of narrow victories. No. 19 freshman Brandon Precin edged Purdue junior Brandon Tucker at 125, 2-0, and sophomore Eric Metzler slipped past junior Sean Schmaltz, 4-3. The Wildcats posted their third fall of the match at 141 pounds as top-ranked Ryan Lang pinned freshman Nick Bertucci.
Despite the match being out of reach it ended in the Boilers favor as Patacsil, ranked ninth in the nation at 149 pounds, posted his 10th pin of the year and second of the Big Ten schedule, sticking sophomore Marty Gould with just two seconds left in the opening period. Patacsil continues to climb the Purdue record boards as he is now tied for 10th in single-season falls and is tied for 14th in career falls with 14. Murphy followed with a 10-1 major decision over sophomore Dominic Marella, moving his season record to 12-10 and conference record to 3-4.
The Boilermakers embark on postseason competition next weekend as they travel to East Lansing, Mich. for the Big Ten Tournament.