The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team dropped a 34-11 match to Virginia at Maclellan Gym today.  The Mocs fell behind early and could not overcome a big lead the Cavaliers built on bonus points. 

The first three matches did not make it into the third period, with Virginia scoring a technical fall and two pins to go up 17-0. 

Freshman Dylanger Potter was the first to take his opponent the distance, fighting off bonus points late in a 9-3 loss at 149.  The Cavaliers got right back at it with another technical fall at 157. 

Junior Justin Lampe was on his way to putting Chattanooga on the board at 165 when disaster struck in that match.  Lampe was leading 4-2 lead and appeared to have sealed the win with a takedown late in the third.  However, in the scramble, he wound up on his back and gave up a pin with just 13 seconds on the clock.   

That put the match out of reach with UTC in a 31-0 hole.  Senior Sean Mappes was also headed for a win, scoring back points late at 174.  However, he could not get the four count and left the bout tied 5-5 at the end of regulation.  He then gave up the deciding takedown in extra time. 

The Mocs did manage to win the last three matches, with junior Bryce Carr and senior Jared Johnson scoring major decisions at 184 and heavyweight.  Senior Clay Dent also had an impressive 6-1 win at 197. 

Up next for UTC is a road trip to Ohio before the Christmas break.  Chattanooga faces Ohio on Dec. 16 in Athens before visiting Kent State on Dec. 18. 

Don't forget about the 2017 Southern Scuffle, presented by Compound Clothing, at the McKenzie Arena on Jan. 1-2.  This year's field involves nine of the preseason top 25, including No. 1 Oklahoma State, No. 5 Missouri and No. 7 Cornell.

Individually, there are 76 wrestlers with a preseason ranking set to visit the Scenic City.  This includes three NCAA Champions and 25 All-Americans.  Tickets are available on GoMocs.com. 

Virginia 34 – No. 24 Chattanooga 11
Maclellan Gym – Chattanooga, Tenn. – Sunday – Dec. 5, 2016
125: No. 15 Jack Mueller (UVA) – Tech Fall 18-2 (3:00) – Alonzo Allen (UTC) – UVA 5-0
133: Will Mason (UVA) – Fall 2:13 – Chris Debien (UTC) – UVA 11-0
141: No. 10 George DiCamillo (UVA) – Fall 2:13 – Roman Boylen (UTC) – UVA 17-0
149: Sam Krivus (UVA) – Dec. 9-3 – Dylanger Potter (UTC) – UVA 20-0
157: No. 17 Andrew Atkinson (UVA) – Tech Fall 16-0 (3:17) – Brandon Filosi (UTC) – UVA 25-0
165: Cam Harrell (UVA) – Fall 6:47 – Justin Lampe (UTC) – UVA 31-0
174: Ray Bethea (UVA) – Dec. 7-5 (SV1) – Sean Mappes (UTC) – UVA 34-0
184: Bryce Carr (UTC) – MD 17-5 – Will Schany (UVA) – UVA 34-4
197: Clay Dent (UTC) – Dec. 6-1 – Chance McClure (UVA) – UVA 34-7
285: No. 14 Jared Johnson (UTC) – MD 8-0 – Tyler Love (UVA) – UVA 34-11