The No. 16 North Carolina Tar Heels (1-1) fell to the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines (2-0), 23-12, Sunday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium.
What happened?
Doubles on the Diamond kicked off with a top-25 dual between Lachlan McNeil and Cole Mattin. Despite the close ranking between both wrestlers, the 141-pound bout was controlled by Michigan’s Mattin, whose early 6-0 lead helped him cruise to a decision win.
Danny Nini’s first career start possessed a daunting challenge, as the first-year wrestler competed up a weight class in the 149-pound division. Nini stood his ground for the first two periods, earning a two-point takedown midway through the second period. But Chance Lamer’s persistence resulted in a pair of stalling infractions by the Tar Heels, helping the Wolverines earn their second decision win of the day.
The ensuing individual match would favor Michigan, as All-American Will Lewan’s decision win opened up a 9-0 lead for the visitors.
Redshirt senior Joey Mazzara helped get the Tar Heels on the board in the 165-pound contest against Zack Mattin. Mazzara’s late takedown in the final period helped UNC secure the decision victory, cutting its deficit to six.
North Carolina’s newfound momentum carried over into the 174-pound division, which featured the highest-ranked wrestler rostered by the Tar Heels. No. 5 Clay Lautt flexed his muscle early, as a pair of takedowns in the first period helped the redshirt senior give UNC its second decision victory of the afternoon.
Out of the brief intermission, a pair of top-15 wrestlers entered the mat. Despite sophomore Gavin Kane holding the superior ranking, a Wolverine takedown in the second period gave Matt Finesilver the 4-0 decision win.
Trailing by six points in the team scoring, North Carolina was in need of a spark. Redshirt sophomore Max Shaw helped the Tar Heels regain some ground, as his escape midway through the 197-pound bout helped UNC secure a win by decision.
