La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse wrestling team, ranked third on the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Poll, opened its 2022-23 home season with a 25-9 victory over fifth-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology (N.J.) Thursday night in Mitchell Hall. The Eagles improve to 2-0 while the Ducks drop to 1-1. 

In the first-ever meeting between the two teams, UWL's Brandon Murphy opened with a major decision (9-1) over Stevens' Vincent Principe at 125-pounds. Murphy is ranked eighth in the NWCA. UWL led 4-0. The Eagles made it 7-0 as Zach Weiler won by decision (7-5) over Nico Diaz at 133-pounds.  

The Ducks got on the board with third-ranked Kyle Slendorn winning by decision (6-3) over the Eagles' Sam Lorenz at 141-pounds to cut the deficit to 7-3. Hunter Gutierrez, ranked 12th in Division III, earned a win by decision (6-4) over UWL's Parker Kratochvill at 149-pounds to cut it to 7-6. 

In a match-up of ranked wrestlers, UWL's Nolan Hertel, ranked third, won by decision (6-2) over 13th-ranked Ryan Smith of Stevens (N.J.) to make it 10-6. At 165-pounds, Noah Leisgang won by decision (8-2) over Harrison Hinojsa to give the Eagles a 13-6 advantage. 
 

Third-ranked Seth Brossard followed with a technical fall (16-1, 7:00) for UWL at 174-pounds over second-ranked Stefan Major and UWL took a 18-6 lead. The Ducks cut it to 18-9 with Frank Medina winning by decision (3:37) over UWL's 13th-ranked wrestler Kalyn Jahn at 184-pounds. 

UWL took the final two duals Thursday night. Top-ranked Ben Kawczynski won by major decision (11-1) over Brendan Newbury at 197-pounds to secure the dual victory and make it 22-9. Michael Douglas completed the dual with a win by decision (3-2) over 12th-ranked Michael Dooley at 285-pounds. 

UWL returns to action Saturday, November 19 at the Augsburg University (Minn.) Auggie Open and the Concordia University Wisconsin Open.