Flashes Settle for MAC Three-Way Tie in Loss at Central Michigan

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - Kent State, Central Michigan and Ohio will share the 2011 MAC regular season title following the Chippewas 20-14 victory over the Golden Flashes Sunday at McGuirk Arena.  In the final match, a takedown by CMU's Jarod Trice with five seconds remaining secured the Chippewas sixth win of the day with a 3-1 decision.

Three matches on the day were decided by three points or less (141, 149, 285) and all three of those decisions went to Central Michigan.  The Chippewas led 17-7 after seven matches, before Casey Newburg (184) and Dustin Kilgore (197) narrowed the margin to 17-14.

The first critical sign of the day's outcome came at 141 pounds when junior Chase Skonieczny could not complete a near reversal at the final buzzer in a 3-2 loss to Scott Mattingly.  Skonieczny led 2-0 after the first period, before surrendering a reversal in the second.  He was then unable to get out from the bottom in third, giving Mattingly the winning point with riding time. 

"That was the hardest one to swallow" Head Coach Jim Andrassy said of the 141-pound match.  "Because I think Chase is better than their guy.  He was up 2-0 with riding time after the first.  But in a match like this it's about going strong for seven minutes."

The win by Mattingly extended the Chippewas lead to 7-3 after Scotti Sentes earned a 10-2 major decision over freshman Tyler Small at 133.  Junior Nic Bedelyon (125) put the Flashes on the board first with a 9-5 win.  Bedelyon jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first and controlled most of the match.

The second tight match came at 149 when junior Marcel Clopton dropped a 4-1 decision to Donnie Corby.  Corby scored a key first period takedown at the edge of the mat.

"We knew ahead of time we needed 141 or 149," Andrassy said.  "Marcel needed more offense on his feet and needed to finish the shots he did take."

Senior Matt Cathell (157) boosted the Flashes hopes with a 9-1 major decision over Ryan Cubberly.  Cathell had a three-point turn late to secure the eight-point win.

Two-time All-American Mike Miller returned from injury, scoring an 8-2 win over junior Ross Tice (165).  Tice got in on Miller's legs on several occasions, but could not finish off a takedown.

Ben Bennett extended CMU's lead to 17-7 with a 9-1 major decision over Brandonn Johnson.  Newburg responded with a convincing 6-2 victory over Craig Kelliher.

Kilgore did everything but put Chad Friend on his back in a dominant 15-7 major decision.  It was Kilgore's 10th major of the year.

Trice and junior Brendan Barlow were locked up at 1-1 in the third as each scored escapes.  Trice got in on a single leg with about 15 seconds left and finished it with five ticks left.

The Golden Flashes (14-6, 4-1 MAC) will get next week off from competition in preparation for the MAC Championships March 5-6, hosted by Northern Illinois.

"We will each have four guys favored to win their weight classes," Andrassy said of KSU and CMU at the MAC Tournament.  "It's going to come down to second and third places and bonus points."

Central Michigan 20 Kent State 14

125: Nic Bedelyon (KS) dec. Christian Cullinan, 9-5

133: Scotti Sentes (CM) maj. dec. Tyler Small (KS), 10-2

141: Scott Mattingly (CM) dec. Chase Skonieczny, 3-2

149: Donnie Corby (CM) dec. Marcel Clopton, 4-1

157: Matt Cathell (KS) maj. dec. Ryan Cubberly, 10-2

165: Mike Miller (CM) dec. Ross Tice, 8-2

174: Ben Bennett(CM) maj. dec. Brandonn Johnson, 9-1

184: Casey Newburg (KS) dec. Craig Kelliher, 6-2

197: Dustin Kilgore (KS) maj. dec. Chad Friend, 15-7

285: Jarod Trice (CM) dec. Brendan Barlow, 3-1