Fairfax, Va.— The George Mason wrestling team edged ACC and in-state opponent Virginia, 18-17, today at St. Christopher's High School in Richmond, Va., breaking the Cavs 10-match win streak against the Patriots. Mason (8-4) handed the Cavaliers (4-1) its first loss of the season.

The teams split the 10 matches, but the Patriots prevailed in bonus points. Malachi DuVall had a fall against Griffin Gammell in the 184-pound class. Virginia earned bonus point victories in two matches. Kyren Butler earned a major decision against the Patriots #23 Nathan Higley, handing the redshirt sophomore his first loss this season, 8-1, at 141 lbs. The Cavs #13 Justin McCoy, the ACC Wrestler of the Week, earned a major decision against Paul Pierce. 

Virginia started out the match picking up three straight wins and a 10-0 lead. Mason countered with three straight decisions to cut the lead, 10-9.  

Kaden Cassidy earned a decision against the Cavs Erik Roggie, 5-4, at 149 pounds, getting the Patriots on the board. Mason's No. 26 DJ McGee won against Nick Sanko, 7-2, to improve to 19-3 overall, and Evan Maag decided Mason Stefanelli, 13-7. Maag has 14 wins this season.

Virginia extended the lead with McCoy's major decision to push Virginia back out to a five-point lead at 14-9. The Patriots countered with nine unanswered points, with DuVall's pin at 184 pounds and a decision a Tyler Kocak decision at 197 pounds put George Mason up by four.

The heavyweight battle was won by Virginia's Ryan Catka in Sudden Victory, 7-3, against Chad Nix. 

GEORGE MASON 18, VIRGINIA 17
125: Kyle Montaperto (UVA) dec. JB Dragovich (GMU), 3-0 – UVA 3, GMU 0
133: Keyveon Roller (UVA) dec. Shawn Nonaka (GMU), 10-3 – UVA 6, GMU 0
141: Kyren Butler (UVA) major dec. No. 23 Nathan Higley (GMU), 18-7 – UVA 10, GMU 0
149: Kaden Cassidy (GMU) dec. Erik Roggie (UVA) , 5-4 – UVA 10, GMU 3
157: No. 26 DJ McGee (GMU) dec. Nick Sanko (UVA) , 7-2 – UVA 10, GMU 6
165: Evan Maag (GMU) dec. Mason Stefanelli (UVA), 13-7 – UVA 10, GMU 9
174: No. 13 Justin McCoy (UVA) major dec. Paul Pierce (GMU), 9-1 – UVA 14, GMU 9
184: Malachi Duvall (GMU) pinned Griffin Gammell (UVA), 2:53 – GMU 15, UVA 14
197: Tyler Kocak (GMU) dec. Colden Dorfman (UVA), 15-10 – GMU 18, UVA 14
HWT: Ryan Catka (UVA)  dec. No. 30 Chad Nix (GMU), 4-3 (sv-1) – GMU 18, UVA 17

UP NEXT
Mason will be at home next weekend for two duals inside the RAC. The Patriots will host Edinboro on Saturday, Jan. 13 in a MAC dual. Hoftra will travel to Fairfax for a match on Sunday. Both duals begin at 1 pm.

Saturday is military appreciation day and Sunday is youth day.