MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University head wrestling coach Robin Ersland doesn't like losing any more than the next guy.

But it's sometimes how you go about your business in a loss that means more than winning and losing.

That was the case Sunday as Minot State fell 29-15 to No. 15 ranked Augustana College in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference wrestling at the Minot State Dome.

“I thought we competed – they were in a battle for the most part and we made them work a little for their win,” Ersland said. “I don't like losing, but the way this season has gone with our injuries, I am looking for them to compete. We are going to give away some points each night out at some spots, so I want us to just compete.”

That mentality was most evident in three solid wins for Minot State starting at 165 pounds and freshman Eric O'Neill (Winter Springs, Fla.). O'Neill, who joined the Beavers at the winter break, won his second consecutive match, topping a strong Parker Swanson with a 7-1 decision – all after being poked in the eye early in the first period.

“Man, it felt more like a punch to the eye than getting poked. I'm sure I'm going to have a black eye now,” O'Neill said. “Some guys want to rush out and get going, but I took my time. It hurt, but with adrenaline and all, I didn't notice it too much.”

O'Neill ended up turning the tough luck into early momentum as he finished the first up 2-1 with a near fall and a bunch of riding time.

“Yeah, it worked out for me. He's pretty good on his feet and so if we were both standing, maybe it's different,” he said. “I got the early lead and it pumped me up and got my confidence up and maybe took a little of (Swanson's) away.”

For Ersland, it was a big sign of things to come for O'Neill.

“Parker Swanson is a good wrestler, for Eric to pull out the win like that is a big deal.” He said. “You've got to feel good about that.”

It set up a three-bout win streak for the Beavers as Matt Fetterley (Jr., 174, Muskegon, Mich.) and Cody George (Sr., 184, Clancy, Mont.) took home wins at 174 and 184 pounds respectively.

Fetterley outlasted Jeff Nielsen in a grind-it-out match, winning 3-2 ultimately on an escape in the second period. George earned his win with a takedown and near fall in the final five seconds to defeat Tim Weber 6-3.

“There aren't going to be any easy matches in this conference – there are no 'Little Sisters of the Poor,'“ Earsland said. “We were better than we were against them last month and I feel that if we can get some guys healthy and recruit a couple more guys, we can compete in this conference.”

Bobby Bartz (Jr., HWT, Harvey, N.D.) was the other winner for the Beavers, getting a forfeit win at heavyweight.

Augustana College  (9-5 overall, 4-2 NSIC) finished with two pins in the match as Brandon Charbonneau and Jayd Docken each earned wins by fall.

The Beavers (1-14, 0-7) will finish off the 2012-13 home season with a dual with Southwest Minnesota State Friday beginning at 7 p.m. at the Dome.

NSIC Wrestling
FINAL
Augustana College 29, Minot State 15
125 – T.J. North, Augie, wins by forfeit (0-6)
133 – Jeremiah Peterson, Augie, def. Matt Ruby 8-4 (0-9)
141 – Brandon Charbonneau, Augie, pinned Flynn Stormer 1:06 (0-15)
149 – Nate Herda, Augie, wins by tech. fall over Marcus Wilson 18-3 (0-20)
157 – Shawn Hatlestad, Augie, def. Marcus Polak 8-4 (0-23)
165 – Eric O'Neill, MISU, def. Parker Swanson 7-1
171 – Matt Fetterley, MISU, def. Jeff Nielsen 3-2
184 – Cody George, MISU, def. Tim Weber 6-3
197 – Jayd Docken, Augie, pinned Joe Johnson 1:36
HWT – Bobby Bartz, MISU, wins by forfeit