MARSHALL, Minn. –  The Southwest Minnesota State wrestling team (1-3, 1-2 NSIC) opened the home season of 2019-20 earning a 18-14 victory over No. 17 Northern State (5-3, 1-2 NSIC) in the PE Gym on Friday night, the first conference victory this season for the Mustangs. 

The Wolves were slated at No. 17 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), released on Jan. 1. 

SMSU earned six bout victories in the dual and opened back-to-back victories as Hunter Pfantz (125) and Jackson Stauffacher (133) both claimed victories by decision. 
 
Tonight's bout victory was the first appearance and first victory for Stauffacher. 
 
The Mustangs held a 6-0 lead in the dual before the Wolves earned a victory by tech fall over Justin Sampson to one within one team-point early in the bout. 
 
Robert Shields (149) gave the Mustangs another cushion with a 7-2 decision victory over NSU's Garret Thompson to put the Mustangs up 9-5. 
 
At 157, Nathan Moore fell 3-2 to James Burks as the Wolves brought the dual back to a one-point dual. 
 
Jacob Backlund, making his first appearance as a Mustang, earned a 3-1 decision victory over NSU's Bryan Burnett to keep away the Wolves for another bout victory to put the Mustangs up, 12-8.
 
After picking up a decision victory at 174 by Hayden Voxland, NSU earned a 3-1 decision over Cole Hennen at 184 as SMSU leads 15-11. 
 
With two bouts remaining, Jackson Ryan earned a 6-5 decision victory over NSU's Diego Gallegos to secure the victory after SMSU's Andrew Petersen fell by decision in the final bout.
 
Southwest Minnesota State travels to Moorhead for a 3 p.m. start time facing MSU Moorhead in Nemzek Hall. 
 
SMSU Results
125 | Hunter Pfantz wins by decision (10-4) over Landen Fischer. SMSU 3, NSU 0.
133 | Jackson Stauffacher wins by decision (8-3) over Dayne Morton. SMSU 6, NSU 0.
141 | Kenny Jones wins by tech fall (TF 15-0) over Justin Sampson. SMSU 6, NSU 5. 
149 | Robert Shields wins by decision (7-2) over Garret Thompson. SMSU 9, NSU 5.
157 | James Burks wins by decision (3-2) over Nathan Moore. SMSU 9, NSU 8. 
165 | Jacob Backlund wins by decision (3-1) over Bryan Burnett. SMSU 12, NSU 8. 
174 | Hayden Voxland wins by decision (5-2) over Tanner Wiese. SMSU 15, NSU 8. 
184 | Marcus Placide wins by decision (3-1) over Cole Hennen. SMSU 15, NSU 11. 
197 | Jackson Ryan wins by decision (6-5) over Diego Gallegos. SMSU 18, NSU 11. 
285 | Caleb Lefferdink wins by decision (3-2) over Andrew Petersen. SMSU 18, NSU 14.