CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State University wrestling team nearly pulled off the upset over visiting West Virginia Saturday afternoon, but the Vikings came up just short as they dropped a heartbreaking, 18-15, matchup to WVU inside Woodling Gymnasium.

The setback was the first official dual of the season for the Vikings while it was the sixth for WVU, who improved to 4-2 with both of their losses coming to top-20 foes.

West Virginia opened up the proceedings with a win via major decision at 125 pounds, courtesy of returning NCAA qualifier Killian Cardinale.

Sophomore Logan Heil would get the Vikings on the scoreboard with his effort at 133 pounds. Leading, 1-0, and starting the third period in the top position, Heil rode his opponent for well over a minute before finally yielding an escape. As a result, he collected a point for riding time and held on for the 2-1 win, his first of the season after moving up from 125 pounds last season.

After WVU won via decision at 141 pounds, redshirt sophomore Marcus Robinson notched his first dual win as a Viking at 149 pounds. He shut out his opponent over the opening five minutes while posting a takedown in each period. Robinson's position appeared comfortable throughout the final frame, and he held on for a 5-1 win.

True freshman Daniel Patten continued his hot start to his maiden collegiate season with a big win at 157 pounds to give the Vikings the lead. Leading, 4-1, late in the second period, Patten had his opponent on his back and was able to notch his first collegiate pin with four seconds left in the period to claim the upset victory.

West Virginia won via decision at 165 pounds, courtesy of a top-25 ranked competitor, to cut its deficit to two points (10-12).

The 174-pound bout was a wild affair that proved to be the turning point of the dual. WVU took an early lead, but redshirt freshman Anthony Rice would post a reversal before registering back points to hold the lead after the first period. However, the script was flipped late in the match as WVU held a one-point lead and also had the riding time point secured. Beginning in the bottom position on a restart with just three seconds left in regulation, Rice miraculously secured a reversal to tie the bout, 11-11, and force overtime. However, the fantastic bout had a thud of an ending as the referee gifted WVU the win due to stalling called on CSU.

The 184-pound bout was another extremely tight affair, albeit lower scoring than the one that preceded it. Sophomore DeAndre Nassar found himself trailing, 4-3, in the third period, but he was able to secure a takedown that was enough to force overtime. After a scoreless sudden-victory session, the wrestlers headed to the first tiebreaking period. After posting an escape, Nassar would net a takedown in the opening 30 seconds and would hold on for an 8-6 win, pushing CSU back into the lead.

Junior Ben Smith put forth an admirable effort at 197 pounds as he lost via decision to the nation's No. 1 ranked wrestler, Noah Adams. The win was the 38th consecutive for Adams.

After an unsportsmanlike conduct call on WVU, the Vikings and Mountaineers found themselves tied heading into the final bout.

The heavyweight bout was tied after two periods, but West Virginia pulled ahead in the final frame. A win via decision by WVU allowed the Mountaineers to escape with an 18-15 victory.

The wins by Nassar and Patten moved their early-season records to a team-best 3-0.

Cleveland State will hit the road for the first time this season next weekend as it heads to Navy. The teams are expected to contest a traditional dual along with (approximately) 30 'extra matches.'

West Virginia 18, Cleveland State 15
125: Killian Cardinale (WVU) over Jake Manley (CSU) – 9-1 MD | WVU leads, 4-0
133: Logan Heil (CSU) over Joey Thomas (WVU) – 2-1 dec. | WVU leads, 4-3
141: Jeffrey Boyd (WVU) over Joseph Caprella (CSU) – 10-4 dec. | WVU leads, 7-3
149: Marcus Robinson (CSU) over Brayden Roberts (WVU) – 5-1 dec. | WVU leads, 7-6
157: Daniel Patten (CSU) over Alex Hornfeck (WVU) – Fall 4:56 | CSU leads, 12-7
165: Peyton Hall (WVU) over Riley Smucker (CSU) – 8-2 dec. | CSU leads, 12-10
174: Scott Joll (WVU) over Anthony Rice (CSU) – 12-11 SV | WVU leads, 13-12
184: DeAndre Nassar (CSU) over Anthony Carman (WVU) – 8-6 TB-1 | CSU leads, 15-13
197: Noah Adams (WVU) over Ben Smith (CSU) – 8-2 dec. | WVU leads, 16-15
West Virginia deducted one team point due to unsportsmanlike conduct called on Noah Adams (throwing headgear)
285: Michael Wolfgram (WVU) over John Kelbly (CSU) – 6-3 dec. | WVU wins, 18-15