Illini Wrestling Dominates SIUE in Home-Opener

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois wrestling team defeated SIU-Edwardsville (SIUE), 28-7, in their home-opener on Thursday, Nov. 2 in the State Farm Center. Redshirt junior Edmond Ruth led the team in points scored when he won via major decision over Dom Lopez (SIUE), 20-6. He secured four takedowns in the third period to earn the bonus point.

"Today was the first match of the season and you could tell it was," said head coach Mike Poeta. "We did some good stuff some guys really excelled, but I think it is pretty glaring that there are some things we need to work on. The guys wrestled okay I am completely fine with how it went, but we need to clean some stuff up. Our conditioning needs to get better and we need to get better on bottom. We know what we need to train and I am okay with the start."

Redshirt sophomore Danny Pucino earned a tech. fall over Danny Martinez (SIUE), 19-4 (5:46). The new three-point takedown rule change really showed up on the scoreboard as he completed this tech. fall with six takedowns and one escape.

Three Illini returned to the lineup tonight after redshirt or injury seasons last year. Redshirt senior Justin Cardani kicked off the dual with three points for Illinois after he defeated Davian Guanajuato (SIUE) via 4-1 decision. Junior Joe Roberts shut out Brock Woodcock (SIUE), 4-0, right before the intermission to put the Illini up 11-7. Redshirt junior Luke Luffman closed out the dual with a major decision over Bryson Buhk (SIUE), 15-4.

Today's attendance was 1,258 which raised nearly $5,000 for the Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation (IKWF) in ticket sales.

UP NEXT

The Fighting Illini wrestling team is back in action on Saturday, Nov. 4 for a dual against Navy in Huff Hall. Parking information for Huff Hall can be found here.

FULL RESULTS