BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Maryland wrestling team dropped a 24-9 decision to No. 16 Virginia Tech in ACC action at Cassell Coliseum Sunday night.

The Terrapins (4-7, 0-2 ACC) won three of the last four matches of the dual, but were unable to overcome a sizable deficit.

Billy Rappo took the mat for the Terps at 125 pounds, but fell to No. 19 Joey Dance by a 2-1 decision. Dance used an escape in the second period and riding time to overcome the Terrapin sophomore.

At 133 pounds, Dennis Gustafson spoiled Tyler Goodwin's return to action, taking a 7-2 decision. The Hokies then received a vital result from Erik Spjut, who took down No. 15 Shyheim Brown late in the match to secure a 2-1 win.

Zach Neibert continued the run at 149 pounds, defeating Derrick Evanovich, 9-2 to give Virginia Tech a 12-0 lead.  Ben Dorsay and Josh Snook were unable to slow the Hokie momentum, both taking decision losses.

In his first match of the season, Ty Snook got the Terps on the board at 174 pounds. Snook found a reversal in the third period to notch a 5-3 victory.

No. 1 Jimmy Sheptock then continued his march through ranked opponents this season, defeating 17th-ranked Nick Vetterlein, 3-1.

After Chris Penny won by injury default over No. 8 Christian Boley, No. 6 Spencer Myers provided a bright spot for Maryland with a 4-3 win over No. 20 Ty Walz.

The Terps travel to North Carolina for their next dual on Jan. 24. Action is scheduled to begin at 7 pm.

#16 Virginia Tech 24, Maryland  9
125: #19 Joey Dance (VT) dec. Billy Rappo (MD), 2-1 (3-0)
133: Dennis Gustafson (VT) dec. Tyler Goodwin (MD), 7-2 (6-0)
141: Erik Spjut (VT) dec. #15 Shyheim Brown (MD), 2-1 (9-0)
149: #20 Zach Neibert (VT) dec. Derrick Evanovich (MD), 9-2 (12-0)
157: Sal Mastriani (VT) dec. Ben Dorsay (MD), 8-3 (15-0)
165: Chris Moon (VT) dec. Josh Snook (MD), 7-0 (18-0)
174: Ty Snook (MD) dec. John Dickson (VT), 5-3 (18-3)
184: #1 Jimmy Sheptock (MD) dec. #17 Nick Vetterlein (VT), 3-1 (18-6)
197: Chris Penny (VT) inj. def. #8 Christian Boley (MD), 4:45 (24-6)
285: #6 Spencer Myers (MD) dec. #20 Ty Walz (VT), 4-3 (24-9)

Notes:

The Terps also had wrestlers in action at the Shorty Hitchcock Open in Millersville, Pa. Geoffrey Alexander won the title at 133 pounds, while brother Justin took fourth at 149 pounds. Paul O'Neill was third at 125 pounds. Freshman Sean Twigg nabbed third at heavyweight.