New London, CT --- 197-pounder Joe Bernard (Stratham, NH) battled back from an early first period deficit to rally for an 8-7 victory to highlight WPI wrestling's performance in a 44-3 loss to nationally-ranked to Coast Guard Wednesday inside CGA's Billard Hall.
 
The Bears, ranked 17th in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Dual Meet Top 25, have now won six straight and are 6-4 on the season. WPI slips to 5-4 overall.
 
Bernard, seventh in the most recent NWCA Region 1 rankings, found himself in a 6-1 hole after being taken down twice in the first three minutes.  Starting on top to begin the second period, the senior gave up an escape go down 7-1 but climbed back into the bout with a late escape to close out the second frame.  Now on the bottom to start the third period, Bernard closed to 7-5 with an escape and then notched another takedown to surge ahead 8-7 and rode out his foe to lower the riding time below the one point bonus threshold and claimed the thrilling come-from-behind victory.
 
Coast Guard, which boasts regionally-ranked grapplers in all 10 weight classes, posted pins at 133, 141 and 184, tech falls at 149, 165 and heavyweight, major decisions at 125 and 157 and a 7-5 win at 174.
 
WPI ventures to Hartford for a quad meet hosted by Trinity.  The Engineers open with a noon match versus Roger Williams before facing No. 8 Johnson & Wales and then the host Bantams.  The Bears are off until a week from Saturday, on January 24th at the Wildcat Open hosted by Johnson & Wales.
 
Results