Lights grapple to a win at North Idaho

The North Idaho Cardinals always give the Montana State University-Northern Lights a tough test on the mat. And last weekend was no different.

In a season-opening road dual at North Idaho, the No. 7 Lights pulled off a dramatic, 21-20 victory.

Northern fell behind the Cardinals 14-0 after losses at 125, 133 and 141 pounds.

The comeback began with Martin Wilkie getting a pin at 149 pounds, while newcomer Justin Windhauer got a win at 157 to follow. The Lights still trailed heading into the 174-pound match where NaKoda Siegel got a 21-6 technical fall, Rylin Burns got a win at 184 and Carl Hansen earned a clinching decision at 197 pounds to help the Lights stave off NIU.

The victory gets Northern’s dual season off to a 1-0 start. The Lights will be begin the tournament portion of their schedule when they head to Wyoming for the Trapper Open this Saturday, Northern then hosts arch rival Providence Nov. 8.