Friday, February 3
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m.
Northwestern
15
vs
28
Illinois
Berkowitz Dominates in Welsh-Ryan Finale, 'Cats Hang Tough With No. 11 Illini
2/3/2017 9:37:00 PM | Wrestling
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern took three bouts—including two by fall—in a close match with No. 11 Illinois Friday night. The evening included pre-match and intermission celebrations for Senior Night and Alumni Night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Jacob Berkowitz pinned Andre Lee at 197 lbs. for his 20th win of the season in his last career home match. He improved to 20-7 on the season on a night that honored Berkowitz and Ben Sullivan as the two seniors on this year's roster.
The Wildcats took two of the first three bouts to lead 9-4 but could not hold on as Illinois came out on top, 28-15.
Anthony Rubinetti got the proceedings underway in an exciting contest with Travis Piotrowski at 125 lbs. Down one as the match neared its end, Rubinetti needed an escape to send the bout to overtime. He refused to settle for just a point, however, as he pulled off a reversal in the final moments and, with four seconds remaining on the clock, pinned Piotrowski to give NU a 6-0 lead.
Alec McKenna added the second win for the home squad shortly after, beating Illinois' Mousa Jodeh in another thriller. After going into overtime tied 1-1, McKenna recorded a takedown to win by decision in the first sudden victory period.
The Illini took the next five bouts, with all five victories coming from ranked wrestlers, including four in the top twelve nationally at their respective weight classes.
Senior captain Jacob Berkowitz then tallied another six points for Northwestern with his dominating performance, as he continues to build on an excellent final season in Evanston.
Chicago's Big Ten Team concludes the regular season next weekend with two road matches on the east coast. The 'Cats are at Maryland on Friday, Feb. 10 and then cap the year at Rutgers on Sunday, Feb. 12.
#11 Illinois 28, Northwestern 15
125: Anthony Rubinetti (NU) Fall Travis Piotrowski (ILL), 6:56 [NU 6, ILL 0]
133: #6 Zane Richards (ILL) maj. dec. Jason Ipsarides (NU), 16-6 [NU 6, ILL 4]
141: Alec McKenna (NU) dec. Mousa Jodeh (ILL), 3-1 (SV-1) [NU 9, ILL 4]
149: #20 Eric Barone (ILL) dec. Shayne Oster (NU), 7-5 [NU 9, ILL 7]
157: #12 Kyle Langenderfer (ILL) maj. dec. Ben Sullivan (NU), 20-6 [ILL 11, NU 9]
165: #1 Isaiah Martinez (ILL) Fall Anthony Petrone (NU), 2:09 [ILL 17, NU 9]
174: #9 Zac Brunson (ILL) Tech Fall Braxton Cody (NU), 16-0 (2:27) [ILL 22, NU 9]
184: #12 Emery Parker (ILL) dec. #20 Mitch Sliga (NU), 5-3 [ILL 25, NU 9]
197: #20 Jacob Berkowitz (NU) Fall Andre Lee (ILL), 5:49 [ILL 25, NU 15]
285: #15 Brooks Black (ILL) dec. #24 Conan Jennings (NU), 4-2 [ILL 28, NU 15]
Jacob Berkowitz pinned Andre Lee at 197 lbs. for his 20th win of the season in his last career home match. He improved to 20-7 on the season on a night that honored Berkowitz and Ben Sullivan as the two seniors on this year's roster.
The Wildcats took two of the first three bouts to lead 9-4 but could not hold on as Illinois came out on top, 28-15.
Anthony Rubinetti got the proceedings underway in an exciting contest with Travis Piotrowski at 125 lbs. Down one as the match neared its end, Rubinetti needed an escape to send the bout to overtime. He refused to settle for just a point, however, as he pulled off a reversal in the final moments and, with four seconds remaining on the clock, pinned Piotrowski to give NU a 6-0 lead.
Alec McKenna added the second win for the home squad shortly after, beating Illinois' Mousa Jodeh in another thriller. After going into overtime tied 1-1, McKenna recorded a takedown to win by decision in the first sudden victory period.
The Illini took the next five bouts, with all five victories coming from ranked wrestlers, including four in the top twelve nationally at their respective weight classes.
Senior captain Jacob Berkowitz then tallied another six points for Northwestern with his dominating performance, as he continues to build on an excellent final season in Evanston.
Chicago's Big Ten Team concludes the regular season next weekend with two road matches on the east coast. The 'Cats are at Maryland on Friday, Feb. 10 and then cap the year at Rutgers on Sunday, Feb. 12.
#11 Illinois 28, Northwestern 15
125: Anthony Rubinetti (NU) Fall Travis Piotrowski (ILL), 6:56 [NU 6, ILL 0]
133: #6 Zane Richards (ILL) maj. dec. Jason Ipsarides (NU), 16-6 [NU 6, ILL 4]
141: Alec McKenna (NU) dec. Mousa Jodeh (ILL), 3-1 (SV-1) [NU 9, ILL 4]
149: #20 Eric Barone (ILL) dec. Shayne Oster (NU), 7-5 [NU 9, ILL 7]
157: #12 Kyle Langenderfer (ILL) maj. dec. Ben Sullivan (NU), 20-6 [ILL 11, NU 9]
165: #1 Isaiah Martinez (ILL) Fall Anthony Petrone (NU), 2:09 [ILL 17, NU 9]
174: #9 Zac Brunson (ILL) Tech Fall Braxton Cody (NU), 16-0 (2:27) [ILL 22, NU 9]
184: #12 Emery Parker (ILL) dec. #20 Mitch Sliga (NU), 5-3 [ILL 25, NU 9]
197: #20 Jacob Berkowitz (NU) Fall Andre Lee (ILL), 5:49 [ILL 25, NU 15]
285: #15 Brooks Black (ILL) dec. #24 Conan Jennings (NU), 4-2 [ILL 28, NU 15]
••••••
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