Prescott, Ariz.- The Montana State University-Northern Lights had two road duals left this season heading into Thursday night. The first of those duals didn't go how the Lights had hoped.
The No. 3 Lights were in Prescott, Arizona, Thursday night to take on Western Region rival Embry-Riddle University, where the Eagles pulled off a 27-16 upset.
EAU may not be ranked in the NAIA Coaches Poll, but the Eagles still have firepower and it showed against the Lights as the Eagles won four straight matches between 125 and 149 pounds. Ninth-ranked Chandler Strand picked up a major decision over Robert Pair, while Collin Anderson got more bonus points with a technical fall over Brennan Veis. Then, in an upset, Cameron Huizar edged No. 6 Matt Weber 5-4 in a tight match. At 149, the Lights were without starter Drake Randall, and eighth-ranked Anton King was too much for freshman Dylan Veis, in an 11-2 major decision.
Northern's wins came from some of its highest-ranked grapplers. Fifth-ranked Brandon Weber beat 12th-ranked James Williams with an 11-2 major decision, while No. 2 Ben Stroh needed just :30 to pin Rocky Telles at 184. No. 2 Taylor Kornoely also got a pin for the Lights in the heavyweight match.
However, the Eagles also came up clutch in three other bouts. Sam Going, ranked 15th, edged Andrew Bartel, 9-7 at 165 pounds, while 14th-ranked Brenn Scheiss scored an 18-7 major decision over Steeler French, and Ryker Greenbaum also got a major against Lee Cannon at 197, as the Eagles won five matches with bonus points.
The Lights will now return to Havre to prepare for their final regular season match, a showdown with rival UGF. That dual will take place Wednesday night at the McLaughlin Center in Great Falls. The Lights will then get ready for the West Regional Qualifier, Feb. 18 in Redding, California.
STORY BY GEORGE FERGUSON, Havre Daily News
