Northwestern Beats Duke 20-19 on Senior Night

By Northwestern Athletics

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern sent its senior off in style with a 20-19 win over Duke Friday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

It was a freshman, however, that provided the winning edge as Conan Jennings won a 2-1 decision at heavyweight to tie the match at 19 and send it to criteria. Jennings opponent, Brendan Walsh, was called for his second stalling with one second left in the match, giving Jennings the winning point.

The Wildcats won on criteria because Duke forfeited at 133 lbs.

“I am really proud of the guys,” interim head coach Matt Storniolo said. “Tonight was a true team effort. All 10 guys had their fingerprints on this win.”

Seniors Garrison White and Dominick Malone went out winners in their final matches at home. White won by 11-2 major decision over Thayer Atkins at 125 lbs. to put the Wildcats on the board before Malone followed with a win by forfeit at 133.

Fellow senior Jameson Oster had a tough loss at 141, but No. 6 Jason Tsirtsis responded with a definitive 5-0 win over No. 10 Mitch Finesilver, and Northwestern took a 13-8 lead into intermission.

The Wildcats picked up a win by Mitch Sliga at 174, but Duke fought back to take a 19-16 lead into the final match of the night between Jennings and Walsh, where Chicago’s Big Ten Team won in thrilling fashion.

Northwestern is right back at it on Sunday for the season finale at Wisconsin in a dual that begins at noon CT.

Northwestern 20, Duke 19
125: Garrison White (NU) maj. dec. Thayer Atkins (Duke), 11-2 [NU 4, Duke 0]
133: #19 Dominick Malone (NU) Win by Forfeit [NU 10, Duke 0]
141: Zach Finesilver (Duke) maj. dec. #19 Jameson Oster (NU), 9-0 [NU 10, Duke 4]
149: #6 Jason Tsirtsis (NU) dec. #10 Mitch Finesilver (Duke), 5-0 [NU 13, Duke 4]
157: Connor Bass (Duke) maj. dec. Anthony Petrone (NU), 12-1 [NU 13, Duke 8]
165: #18 Jake Faust (Duke) maj. dec. Luke Norland (NU), 15-5 [NU 13, Duke 12]
174: Mitch Sliga (NU) dec. Alec Shenk (Duke), 7-3 [NU 16, Duke 12]
184: Trey Adamson (Duke) maj. dec. Regis Durbin (NU), 14-4 [NU 16, Duke 16]
197: #5 Conner Hartmann (Duke) dec. Jacob Berkowitz (NU), 8-2 [NU 16, Duke 19]
285: Conan Jennings (NU) dec. Brendan Walsh (Duke), 2-1 [NU 19, Duke 19]
*Northwestern wins on criteria [NU 20, Duke 19]