Jan. 22, 2005

LEXINGTON, Va. - The Maryland Terrapins wrestled Virginia Military Institute to an 18-18 tie Friday night at the Thunderdome, on post at VMI. A pinfall win by at 125 and a forfeit at heavyweight were the only matches of the evening to not be decided by a three-point decision.

Maryland moves to 2-6-1 on the season, while VMI goes to 4-2-1.

Kevin Vinh (125) opened things up early for the Terps, pinning Jeremy Adams in just 1:12 to give Maryland the 6-0 lead. The Keydets picked up back-to-back decisions at 133 and 141 to tie the match at 6-6, but Andrew Schlaffer, wrestling up from his usual 141 spot, edged Sam Alvarenga 4-3.

VMI's Chris Hardy defeated Bryan Rizzo 6-2 at 157. Rizzo was wrestling up a weight class in place of injured Adam James. The Terps went on a roll from there, winning the next three matches to build an 18-9 advantage. At 165, Jason Kiessling defeated freshman Tommy Cunningham 6-1 to hand Cunningham his first dual loss of the season, Rob Parker's win at 174 and Mark Eberstein's victory at 184 set the scene for an exciting 197 match.

Due to an upcoming forfeit at heavyweight, VMI sophomore Corry Murray needed at least a major decision victory in order to give the Keydets a victory. Murray came up one point short, defeating freshman Yony Noy 8-1, giving the Keydets three team points to cut the overall advantage to 18-12. The Keydets were then awarded six points for the Maryland forfeit at heavyweight, squaring the match at 18.

Maryland will be back in action against Virginia Tech tomorrow at 1 p.m. Fans can follow that match live at hokietv.com.

Maryland 18, VMI 18

125- Kevin Vinh (UM) pinned Jeremy Adams (VMI), 1:12        6-0
133- Tyler Anthony (VMI) def. Sear Carr (UM), 7-1           6-3
141- David Metzler (VMI) def. Charlie Pinto (UM), 8-6       6-6
149- Andrew Schlaffer (UM) def. Sam Alvarenga (VMI), 4-3    9-6
157- Chris Hardy (VMI) def. Bryan Rizzo (UM), 6-2;          9-9
165- Jason Kiessling (UM) def. Tommy Cunningham (VMI), 6-1  12-9
174- Rob Parker (UM) def. Dustin McCabe (VMI), 6-2          15-9
184- Mark Eberstein (UM) def. Corry Murray (VMI), 8-5       18-9
197- Corry Murray (VMI) def. Yony Noy (UM), 8-1             18-12
285- Brian Yannetti (VMI) wins by forfeit,                  18-18