An undermanned Eastern team ran into nationally ranked Northern Iowa and fell 44-3 Saturday at Lantz Arena.

Without the talents of seniors Pat Dowty and Matt Veach, Eastern found itself terribly overmatched against the NCAA Regional winner.

“We were disappointed that we weren’t able to have our ‘starting’ lineup tonight against ranked competition,” Eastern head coach Ralph McCausland said. “Injuries forced four of our regular-starters to watch from the sidelines.”

Eastern’s only victory came from heavyweight Pete Ziminski who recorded a 4-1 win over sophomore Michael Shedek.

Five of the seven competitors for Eastern were true freshmen that were receiving their first action this season in dual match play.

“I give our five freshmen credit… they wrestled tough, especially going up against some ranked talent,” McCausland said.

Eastern (4-5) started the evening by spotting the 21st-ranked UNI Panthers (5-2) six points due to a forfeit at 133-pounds. That was followed by a technical fall by eighth-ranked Dylan Long over EIU freshman Bob Fangerow at 141-pounds. Eastern sophomore Chris Jordan battled UNI’s Jeff Harrison at 149 pounds before losing, 16-10. Senior Clay French then dropped a 157-pound 20-7 decision to UNI’s Nick Baima.

Two more ranked UNI grapplers (#14-Hesston Johnson at 165; and #5-Eric Hauan at 174) handed Andy Mangiaguerra and Kenny Robertson consecutive losses. Another EIU forfeit at 184-pounds and a technical fall by UNI at 197-pounds and suddenly the EIU Panthers were down 38-0 to the Purple Panthers.

McCausland was happy with the way his team battled at home but was obviously disappointed with the result.

“Tonight’s challenges will only benefit them in the future,” he said. “But it doesn’t help make tonight’s result any easier to swallow.”

Eastern will be at Lantz Arena once again Sunday when they battle Northwestern.