WORCESTER, Mass. – Castleton University competed with one of the top wrestling programs in New England before falling to WPI, 28-15, but the Spartans recovered to defeat the College of Mount Saint Vincent, 46-12, Wednesday afternoon in intercollegiate wrestling action at the WPI Sports and Recreation Center.

WPI, ranked fifth in this week's New England Wrestling Association Coaches Poll, took an early 10-0 lead before Zak Hale earned a pinfall victory with 21 seconds remaining in the second period of the 141-pound match. The Engineers earned a decision win at 149 pounds, but Cameron Milliken answered that with his own decision victory at 157 pounds, defeating Ronan Ball 8-6 to close the Spartan deficit to 13-9.

At 165 points, Jared Costa defeated Chase Lind, 5-1, to bring Castleton to within one point at 13-12, but WPI picked up a pinfall victory at 174 pounds to extend its lead back to seven points. Mitchell LaFlam squeaked out a 3-2 decision victory at 184 pounds to bring the Spartans within four points at 19-15, but the Engineers won the final two matches to clinch the team victory.

Nick Camacho put Castleton on the board against Mount Saint Vincent with a pinfall victory just 1:29 into his 133-pound match, and then Hale gave the Spartans the lead for good with an 18-4 major decision win over Michael Foca at 141 pounds. Milliken earned his second victory of the day, making short work of the 157-pound match with a fall 1:05 into the contest, and Nick Scott wrapped up the day with a pinfall victory in the heavyweight match with 19 seconds remaining in the final period.

Castleton (6-10) returns to bracket competition this Saturday, Jan. 14, competing in the Jim Aguiar Invitational, hosted by Plymouth State University at ALLWell North starting at 10 a.m.