Pioneer Wrestlers Fall to Loras College

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team fell to Loras College, 35-12, on Senior Night in Williams Fieldhouse on Thursday. 

The Pioneers had to do some shifting of their lineup due to an injury at 174 pounds, but managed to earn two victories one from freshman Mike Uliana at 157 pounds and a forfeit by Loras at 125 pounds. 

Uliana, a Casco, Wis. native, dominated Loras' Dan Colatarti right from the start and nearly pinning Colatarti in six seconds but Colatarti held off Uliana as Uliana took a 7-1 lead after one-period. Uliana stayed aggressive in the second-period and pinned Colatari with 1:33 left in the period. 

Senior Peter Crocco came the closest to earn the Pioneers third win of the night. Crocco was down a point with 21 seconds left in the match, but the Duhawks' Joe Bulter sealed the victory, 13-10 in the final seconds with a takedown. 

The Pioneers next competition is the WIAC Duals, hosted by UW-Eau Claire, on Feb. 17 at 9 a.m.

Match-by-Match Recap 

125: Cole Ferguson, UW-Platteville won by forfeit over Reuben Reyes, Loras – 6-0, UW-Platteville 

133: Loras' Nick Steger pinned UW-Platteville's Mason Bohm with 25 seconds left in the first period. – 6-6 

141: Loras' Evan Weaver took a quick 3-0 lead on a takedown and a point on UW-Platteville's Tyler Henken locked hands penalty. Henken escaped but Weaver earned another takedown taking a 5-1 lead at the end of the first-period. After a scoreless second-period, Weaver started the final period with a takedown, 7-1, and an escaped by Henken gave Weaver the 7-2 victory. – 9-6, Loras 

149: Loras' Greg Vance pinned UW-Platteville's Aaron Bonnell with 33 seconds left in the first-period. – 15-6, Loras 

157: UW-Platteville's Mike Uliana pinned Loras' Dan Colatari with 1:33 left in the second-period after going a head 7-1 in the first. – 15-12, Loras.

165: UW-Platteville Peter Crocco took 6-5 lead in a very active first-period over Loras' Joe Butler. Butler started the second with an escape and a takedown, 8-6. Crocco bounced right back to be within two-points, 11-9, in the third-period and a one-point delay penalty by Bulter put the match 10-11 with 21 seconds to go. Bulter sealed the victory with a takedown in the final seconds, 13-10. – 18-12, Loras 

174: Loras' Stephan Birt took a quick 5-0 lead with a takedown and a three-point near fall. Birt finished the opening period with a two-point near fall, 7-0.  Birt started the second period with an escape, 8-0.  UW-Platteville's Randy Wade started the third with a takedown but Birt reversed, taking a 10-2 advantage. Birt sealed the won with a takedown for a major decision, 12-3. – 22-12, Loras 

184: Loras' Conor Winel took a 2-1 lead over UW-Platteville's LaQuan Hightower at the end of the first. Winel grabbed a commanding 8-1 advantage with an escape, takedown and a three-point near fall in the second-period. Winel capped of the match with an escape and a takedown for an 11-1 major decision. – 26-12, Loras 

197: Loras' Malcom Watson grabbed a 2-1 lead in the first-period over UW-Platteville's Abe Graziano. In the final seconds of the second-period Watson earned a takedown taking a 4-2 advantage. Watson secured the 8-2 victory after an escape and a takedown. 29-12, Loras 

HWT:  Loras' James Buss pinned UW-Platteville's Cody Soderstorm with 1:23 left in the first-period. 35-12 Loras 

Final Team: UW-Platteville 12 - Loras 35

ATTENDANCE: 278