RALEIGH, N.C. — Appalachian State University wrestling dropped its first match of the season against a nationally ranked opponent as it fell 30-8 to No. 9 NC State at Reynolds Coliseum on Wednesday night.

The loss is the first of the season overall for the No. 23 Mountaineers (3-1) and only its second loss in their last seven matches dating back to last season as the ninth-ranked Wolfpack (3-0) remained undefeated.

The evening began at the 197-pound match with sophomore Randall Diabe squaring off against Malik McDonald. Diabe battled to get three points early, but eventually fell in a 12-3 major decision to give the Wolfpack a 4-0 lead.

No. 9 senior Denzel Dejournette then immediately responded, pushing the Mountaineers back into the match with a 14-4 major decision over Mike Kosoy to even things up at four apiece.

In the 125-pound match, senior Vito Pasone put App State ahead, getting a crucial major decision over Wade Cummings, 14-6 to put Appalachian up 8-4.

NC State's No. 18 Sean Fausz won a nailbiter over freshman Colby Smith in the 133-pound match, getting the 8-6 decision in the final moments of the match. In the 141-pound weight class, the Wolfpack's No. 7 Kevin Jack won a 17-1 technical fall over sophomore Irvin Enriquez to put NC State back in front 12-8 in the team score.

After the intermission, No. 11 sophomore Matt Zovistoski was unable to contain No. 16 Sam Speno in the 149-pound match, 19-7, before freshman Gavin Londoff lost a hard-fought battle in the 157-pound weight class to No. 4 Max Rohskopf, 5-0.

The Wolfpack stayed hot in the final three matches of the night as Brian Hamann took down No. 18 junior Forrest Przybysz in a neck-and-neck 2-1 decision at 165 before Marcus Johnson fell to Nick Reenan by major decision, 10-2, in the 174.

The final match of the night was the 184-pound class, where No. 17 Michael Machiavelli of NC State took down junior David Peters-Logue in a 14-3 major decision to make the final team score 30-8.

Appalachian State wrestling now moves into their lone conference opponents of 2016 as they travel to Davidson where they will play the Wildcats and Sacred Heart on Saturday, Dec. 3. The action begins at 11 a.m.

The Mountaineers return home for their final home match before the New Year when they host SoCon foe Campbell on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. inside Varsity Gym.

RESULTS:

#9 NC State 30, #23 Appalachian State 8
197: Malik McDonald (NCSU) major dec. Randall Diabe; 12-3 - 4-0
285: #9 Denzel Dejournette (APP) major dec. Mike Kosoy; 14-4 - 4-4
125: Vito Pasone (APP) major dec. Wade Cummings; 14-6 - 4-8
133: #18 Sean Fausz (NCSU) dec. Colby Smith; 8-6 - 7-8
141: #7 Kevin Jack (NCSU) tech fall Irvin Enriquez; 17-1 - 12-8
149: Sam Speno (NCSU) major dec. #11 Matt Zovistoski; 19-7 - 16-8
157: #4 Max Rohskopf (NCSU) dec. Gavin Londoff; 5-0 - 19-8
165: Brian Hamann (NCSU) dec. #18 Forrest Przybysz; 2-1 - 22-8
174: Nick Reenan (NCSU) major dec. Marcus Johnson; 10-2 - 26-8
184: #17 Michael Machiavelli (NCSU) major dec. David Peters-Logue - 14-3 - 30-8