MATCH RESULTS

Williamsburg, KY - UC entered the 123 bout with just a 10-5 lead and all ten of those points coming from two forfeits. In the two previous meetings with Life on the season, this weight class matchup had ended in decision wins by the Running Eagles.

The Patriots sent Ashley Tobe to try and change their luck, but she stood across from one of the best wrestlers in the country, third ranked Julia Vidallon. It was an evenly contested match, but Tobe found herself down 2-0 with just 1:30 left in the match. Relentless in trying to earn points for UC, Tobe was able to get a two point takedown after fighting for position. Vidallon tried to keep Tobe at bay, but the junior kept finding a way to gain an advantage and earned herself another two points. The match would end with Tobe, the #14 ranked wrestler, on top 6-2, earning her first win over a ranked opponent this season.

Bridgette Duty was also on the winning side for UC, who now has nine consecutive wins on the season. Duty was able to fend off #5 Erica Sotelo in the 143 match by a 7-4 decision.

Coming off of her third place performance from the weekend, Ismileyna Valles earned the lone tech fall of the day for the Patriots. She dominated her opponent 11-0 in the 155 matchup. The graduate senior's win put UC up 21-15 with just two matches left and a chance to knock off the number one team in the country.

Unfortunately, Life scored just the right amount of points they needed, barely defeating the Patriots by a score of 23-22.

This was the third time this season Cumberlands and Life faced off against each other and the third time the Running Eagles earned the victory. In each match, UC has closed the gap from losing 29-18, 24-18, and now 23-22. The latest dual was also the first time the Patriots won five matches compared their previous four match wins. The Running Eagles were outscored 31-5 by the Patriots for in-match points, but the three falls UC gave up proved to be costly.

The dual was the Patriots final home single dual of the season which allowed for the UC women's wrestling team to honor their two seniors before the match. Senior, Madison Angelito was suited up to wrestle, but Life sent no one into the 116 bout allowing Angelito to win by forfeit. Kelly-Ann Jimenez was also recognized but she was unable to wrestle due to injury.

UC will return to the mats and return to the fans of Williamsburg on February 4th for a double dual with the men's wrestling team. Both squads are slated to start their matches at 7 PM on Randy Vernon Court and they will alternate between men's and women's matches allowing fans to watch them both simultaneously.

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