The wrestling team (8-10-1) suffered its third consecutive loss Wednesday night at Reynolds Coliseum, falling 23-17 against UNC-Greensboro.

It is the first time the Pack has lost to UNCG (9-7), but coach Carter Jordan said he wasn’t too upset about the loss.

“It says more about their team and less about ours,” Jordan said. “Look at how far their program has come — you got to give them credit for that.”

The match began with a loss for the Wolfpack, with redshirt sophomore Taylor Cummings at 125. Mitchell Johnson from UNCG pinned Cummings from the neutral position in the first period.

“The 125 match was really a swing match,” Jordan said. “Taylor’s won a whole lot of matches, and he’ll bounce back from this.”

The losses continued digging the Pack into a 9-0 hole, until 141 weight class No. 5 Joe Caramanica won a technical fall 17-2 and turned the momentum by cutting the team’s deficit to 9-5.

Sophomore Darrion Caldwell, No. 9 in the 141 weight class, continued Caramanica’s pattern and pinned UNCG’s Marcus Hannah in 1:43.

“I kind of knew his style because I saw him wrestle at the N.C. State Open, so I knew what he was going to do,” Caldwell said. “I stuck to my game plan, and that was to get a pin. And that’s what I did.”

Caldwell’s 18th pin of the season on Wednesday tied him with Jayson Ness of Minnesota for most pins nationally.

The energy shifted at 174 for redshirt freshman Ray Ward’s match. He lost a major decision to Mikal McKee 12-3. Jeremy Cannon from UNCG defeated redshirt freshman Dane Coffee and moved the Spartans into a 17-17 team tie with State as two matches remained.

“We have a lot of young guys and a lot of new guys. They have to learn how to win those close matches,” Jordan said. “You got to work your fanny off to win those matches.”

Going into the last match, freshman heavyweight Bobby Isola had the fate of the team riding on his back, with a team score of 20-17 in the Spartans’ favor. Isola lost to Ryan Hsu 5-2.

“I didn’t finish my shots well, and it costs us the match,” Isola said. “I need to step it up a little more.”

Reflecting on the match, Caldwell said he was not disappointed with State’s performance.

“Our team, as a whole, did pretty well. We’re missing a couple of guys, so once we get them back, it will help,” Caldwell said. “Our freshmen really stepped up and are getting lots of experience. The losses for them, for the individuals, are really good. It keeps them humble.”

Throughout the match, the volume coming from the fans, as well as the bench, was low.

“We need to learn how to make noise on the bench,” Jordan said. “We need more energy on the bench — that comes with experience and feeling like you belong there.”

According to Caldwell, the mute bench is due to the switch in team dynamics and having two starters, senior brothers Randy and Ryan Goodman, out of the lineup.

“[The bench] is always going to be a little down,” Caldwell said. “Missing guys that are or could possibly be ranked, who normally win, is taking a toll on the team. We really need them; I wish we had them back.”

The Wolfpack will return to Reynolds Friday at 7:30 p.m. as it takes on Virginia Tech.

“I’m looking for the team to wrestle hard,” Caldwell said. “If we wrestle to our full potential, I think we can win.”

But Jordan suggested he isn’t focused on winning or losing now, due to the multitude of injuries this season.

“Since we have had these injuries, it’s not about wins and losses,” Jordan said. “I knew it was going to be difficult. It was more about how can we make each one of our guys better. With the guys out of the lineup that are injured, as well as the new guys, there is very little room for error.”

UNC Greensboro 23, NC State 17125 — Mitchell Johnson (UNCG) pinned Taylor Cummings, at 2:57133 — No. 16 Jeff Hedges (UNCG) dec. Darrius Little, 6-4141 — No. 5 Joe Caramanica (N.C. State) tech fall Ben Wilmore, 17-2, at 7:00149 — No. 9 Darrion Caldwell (N.C. State) pinned Marcus Hannah, at 1:43157 — Colton Palmer (N.C. State) dec. Mark Ring, 7-4165 — Jalil Dozier (N.C. State) dec. Byron Sigmon, 17-10174 — Mikal McKee (UNCG) major dec. Ray Ward, 12-3184 — Jeremy Cannon (UNCG) major dec. Dane Coffee, 10-1197 — No. 13 Daren Burns (UNCG) dec. Mark Jahad, 1-0Hwt — Bobby Isola (N.C. State) dec. Ryan Hsu, 5-2Source: N.C. State Athletics

Remaining ScheduleFeb. 15 Virginia Tech 7:30 p.m.March 8 ACC Championships*March 20 – 22 NCAA Championships***-College Park, Md.**-St. Louis, Mo.