North by Northwestern

Northwestern Wrestling (8-2, 3-2 B1G) trailed 18-14 in their dual meet against No. 14 Minnesota (5-5, 2-3 B1G) with one match left. Freshman Ryan Deakin was the last hope for the Wildcats and he stepped up to the challenge by pinning his opponent to give the ‘Cats their second ranked win of the season.

149 | PIN BY DEAKIN!

The #B1GCats beat #14 Minnesota, 20-18! pic.twitter.com/2pQy0o7qnZ

— Northwestern Wrestling (@NUWrestle) January 28, 2018

The pin was crucial because if #5 Deakin (24-3) had only won with a decision, the Wildcats would have lost 18-17. Coming just 2:45 into the match, the pin is yet another highlight of an incredible 10-0 record in dual meets this season for Deakin.

The night started slowly for Northwestern with their first two wrestlers losing by major decisions to put them behind 8-0. Northwestern was unfazed though and responded with two wins of their own by #18 Johnny Sebastian and Mitch Sliga and the Gopher lead was cut to 8-6.

Northwestern lost the following match but a pair of back-to-back major decisions by Conan Jennings and #10 Sebastian Riviera gave the Wildcats their first lead of the night at 14-11. Minnesota responded with back to back wins giving them an 18-14 lead going into Deakin’s match.

Deakin’s pin gave Northwestern their first win over Minnesota in 22 years and their highest win over a ranked opponent since defeating Stanford in 2011.

Northwestern wrestling returns to action Friday night against #18 Rutgers for senior day at Patten Gymnasium.