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Gophers Falter 21-17 to Rider
11/15/2019 9:36:00 PM | Wrestling
MINNEAPOLIS –  The Minnesota wrestling team fell to the Rider Broncs 21-17 on Friday night at Williams Arena.
"It's tough but we've got to move on," head coach Brandon Eggum said. "It's early in the season and we've got another chance on Sunday. It's just a sour taste in our mouth."
After the Gophers fell behind early in the dual, 141-pound Mitch McKee righted the ship with a quick 40 second pin to tie the dual up at six. McKee now has three straight pins in a combined 1:58 of mat time.Â
The #Gophers are right back in this dual with a 40-second pin from Mitch McKee! 👊 pic.twitter.com/3OVyfv1z7m
— Minnesota Wrestling (@GopherWrestling) November 16, 2019
Just one bout later, 149-pound Brayton Lee kept the momentum rolling with an 11-7 decision that saw him earn five takedowns to his opponent's lone two-point takedown.Â
Coming out of intermission, 165-pound Bailee O'Reilly gave the Gophers a jolt of energy with his major decision over Georgio Poullas. An aggressive O'Reilly had the scoring advantage from the start and ultimately finished with a 17-9 major decision to start the second half.
Earning his second dual victory of the season was Owen Webster at 184-pounds. Sensing his opponent tiring out, Webster continued to shoot takedown attempts which ultimately paid off in the final minute.
With less than 20 seconds remaining, Webster locked up Rider's George Walton and flipped him to his back for a four-point nearfall sent the Williams Arena crowd into a wild frenzy.Â
Wait for it...
— Minnesota Wrestling (@GopherWrestling) November 16, 2019
Owen Webster's patience pays off with near fall points! pic.twitter.com/VgPbDYtVTZ
While the Gophers held the lead after Webster's victory, the Gophers dropped the final two bouts to lose the dual.Â
He dropped the match, but 165-pound Carson Brolsma only fell to No.8 Jesse Dellavechia by 3-2 decision. A late takedown in the waning moments of the first period proved the difference as Brolsma's escape and riding time point weren't enough for a top-ten upset.Â
Closing out the night was heavyweight Bobby Steveson making his first dual appearance for the Gophers in nearly two seasons.