SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – For the first time in three meetings over the last two years, the Castleton University wrestling team lost to Western New England University, 25-15, in a collegiate dual match Saturday at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

After a major decision loss in the opening match, Castleton earned consecutive decision victories to take a 6-4 lead, starting with Nick Camacho at 133 pounds defeating Timothy McLinden, 3-1. Max Tempel earned a 9-5 victory over Alex Starr at 141 pounds to put the Spartans on top.

Western New England (6-6) won via pin at 149 pounds, but Cameron Milliken answered in the 157-pound match, pinning Taylor Pfaff with five seconds remaining in the first period as Castleton retook the lead, 12-10. However, the Golden Bears won the next four matches, three by decision and one by forfeit, to clinch the overall victory.

Jesse Webb closed out the night with a decision victory for the Spartans, defeating Nicholas Fortini, 6-0, in the 285-pound contest.

Castleton (10-6) returns to tournament competition Sunday, Jan. 28, heading to Providence, R.I., for the Wildcat Open, hosted by Johnson & Wales University starting at 9:30 a.m. The Spartans will then host the Wildcats as well as Springfield College and Plymouth State in a quad match at Glenbrook Gym Saturday, Feb. 3, beginning at 12 noon.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND 25, CASTLETON 15

125: Nicholas Arborio (WNE) over Ryan Cabezas (CU), MD 15-4

            Western New England 4, Castleton 0

133: Nick Camacho (CU) over Timothy McLinden (WNE), Dec 3-1

            Western New England 4, Castleton 3

141: Max Tempel (CU) over Alex Starr (WNE), Dec 9-5

            Castleton 6, Western New England 4

149: Lamont Wallace (WNE) over Reece Millington (CU), Fall 6:08

            Western New England 10, Castleton 6

157: Cameron Milliken (CU) over Taylor Pfaff (WNE), Fall 2:55

            Castleton 12, Western New England 10

165: Davey Goodall (WNE) over Ryan Haff (CU), Dec 10-5

            Western New England 13, Castleton 12

174: Ryan Guers (WNE) over Unknown (CU), Forfeit

            Western New England 19, Castleton 12

184: John Boyle (WNE) over Mitchell LaFlam (CU), Dec 9-4

            Western New England 22, Castleton 12

197: Andrew Cole (WNE) over Cedrick Stephens (CU), Dec 4-3

            Western New England 25, Castleton 12

285: Jesse Webb (CU) over Nicholas Fortini (WNE), Dec 6-0

            Western New England 25, Castleton 15