Women's Wrestling Drops No. 14 Evergreen State

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Eighth-ranked Doane University won four bouts by bonus points and held off No. 14 Evergreen State for a 24-20 victory Friday at the UNI Dome.

Doane set the tone early when No. 20 Kimberly Navarrete pinned Karen Salas just 1:36 into the opening bout at 103 pounds, giving the Tigers a 5-0 lead. Evergreen State responded with back-to-back technical falls at 110 and 117 pounds to briefly swing momentum.

Top-ranked Cristelle Rodriguez reclaimed the lead for Doane at 124 pounds, earning an 11-0 technical fall over No. 9 Ellabelle Taylor. Thirteenth-ranked Ashlee Palimo'o followed with a 6-2 decision at 131 pounds, pushing the Tigers ahead 12-9 midway through the dual.

Evergreen State regained a narrow advantage at 138 pounds with a technical fall, but Doane countered again as No. 10 Bridgette Sotomayor delivered a crucial pin at 145 pounds in 2:33 to put the Tigers back in front, 17-13.

The Geoducks stayed within striking distance when fourth-ranked Shannon Workinger recorded a quick fall at 160 pounds, taking a one point lead over Doane. Fifteenth-ranked Yazmin Belk answered with a decisive 7-3 victory at 180 pounds, setting up the final bout with Doane holding a slim 20-19 edge.

In the deciding match at 207 pounds, third-ranked Jessica Rodriguez sealed the dual for the Tigers with a 13-2 technical fall over Viktoriya Dovhoruka, extending the margin to the final 24-20 score.

The win highlighted Doane's depth across the lineup, as the Tigers collected two technical falls and two pins against a nationally ranked Evergreen State squad.

Doane will close out the NWCA National Duals with a match against Cumblerands (KY) at noon.

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