Eastern Michigan
Max Soria Earns Major Decision Victory On Senior Day; Bulls Fall To EMU, 22-10
2/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
BUFFALO, NY - Fifth-Year senior Max Soria made the most of his senior day at Alumni Arena on Sunday afternoon as he opened the match with a 14-3 major decision victory. Unfortunately, the Bulls were defeated by the visiting Eastern Michigan Eagles, 22-10.
"We wrestled well," said head coach John Stutzman. " It was a good day of wrestling, however we need to learn to close matches out which comes with work ethic and experience."
After partaking in the senior day presentation prior to the match, fifth-year senior and team captain Max Soria came out flying for the Bulls in the first match of the afternoon. Soria wasted no time taking the lead as he earned a quick takedown and a three-point nearfall in the first period. After recording a reversal in the second period, Soria held the 7-1 lead heading into the final period of his UB wrestling career at Alumni Arena. Soria took advanatge of his opportunities in the final period, earning a pair of takedowns and a two-point nearfall to earn his 21st win of the season, a 14-3 major decision victory. Soria finished with 4:59 in riding time for the match, a new season-best mark.
After a tough loss for freshman Sean Peacock at 133-pounds, Colt Cotten took to the mat and aimed to add to the Bulls early 4-3 lead. Cotten did just that as he earned a reversal and a two-point nearfall in the second period and an escape in the third to down his opponent, Michael Shaw, by the score of 5-3. The win for Cotten halted a recent two-match losing streak and leveled his record off at 3-3 on the year.
After three straight losses, senior captain Wally Maziarz took to the mat for the final time at home. The North Tonawanda, NY native looked energized early on and trailed 1-0 heading into the final period. Maziraz wasted no time taking the lead back for UB as he recorded a great takedown early in the final period. Kayne MacCullum earned a escape to tie the match at two, giving Maziarz the opportunity to earn a takedown and the win. Unfortunetly for the senior, MacCullum was able to notch a takedown in the final 20 seconds to take the 4-2 decision victory.
At 184-pounds, Joe Ariola had possibly his best performance of the season for the Bulls. Making the transition down a weight seemed to energize Ariola who came out quick in the opening frame as he earned a takedown right away. Entering the second period up 2-1, Ariola took control of the match as he recorded another takedown and an escape. In the final period, Ariola racked up the riding time and held onto the 6-1 decision victory, making the score 16-10 in favor of the visitors.
Needing a pair of decision victories in the final two matches to win the dual, James Benjamin and Mike Silvis put in great efforts for the Bulls but they were not able to come away with points. Benjamin fell 6-4 to Anthony Abro after he allowed a late takedown in the third period and Silvis was defeated 9-2 by Gage Hutchison at 285-pounds.
Prior to the match, the UB wrestling team and UB Athletics recognized the careers of Max Soria and Wally Maziarz as part of senior day.
"Today was a great day for a pair of our seniors," stated Stutzman. "A special thanks goes out to Max, Wally and their families for everything they have done for the UB Wrestling Program."
UB will wrap up their 2014-15 campaign on Friday, February 20 as they will travel to take on the Northern Illinois Huskies. The match is set to start at 8:00 pm.
RESULTS: EMU 22 UB 10
125: Max Soria (UB) won by major decision over Blake Caudill (EMU), 14-3
133: Vincent Pizzuto (EMU) won by decision over Sean Peacock (UB), 6-4
141: Colt Cotten (UB) won by decision over Michael Shaw (EMU), 5-3
149: Nick Barber (EMU) won by decision over Jason Estevez (UB), 2-0
157: Brandon Zeerip (EMU) won by major decision over Ryan Kromer (UB), 14-4
165: Devan Marry (EMU) won by decision over Rrok Ndokaj (UB), 4-3
174: Kayne MacCallum (EMU) won by decision over Wally Maziarz (UB), 4-2
184: Joe Ariola (UB) won by decision over Mike Curby (EMU), 6-1
197: Anthony Abro (EMU) won by decision over James Benjamin (UB), 6-4
285: Gage Hutchison (EMU) won by decision over Mike Silvis (UB), 9-2
