NEWARK, N.J. — Making a statement on the road, No. 15 Wisconsin earned two key dual-match victories on Saturday at the Garden State Grapple held at the Prudential Center in New Jersey.

Despite seven head-turning lead changes, the Badgers (4-0 overall, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated North Carolina in the final heavyweight match, 20-16, before cruising to a dominating 38-12 victory against Hofstra.

"What a great event! We love coming to New Jersey to wrestle," said Wisconsin head coach Chris Bono. "There were some great things today, but in the same breathe, we have a lot to work on. I'm proud of the effort."

Wisconsin senior heavyweight and fifth-ranked Trent Hillger led Wisconsin with two pins in his matches, including the dual-winner against the Tar Heels after the Badgers were down 16-14 with Hillger's bout still to go. He pinned UNC's Brandon Whitman in 4:08 and then picked up his second victory by fall in 6:56 against Hofstra's No. 20 Zach Knighton Ward.

At 125, Eric Barnett earned a 11-0 major decision against North Carolina's Spencer Moore. Then followed that up with a pin of Hofstra's Dylan Acevedo in 3:34.

Impressing the crowd, true freshman Dean Hamiti continues to surprise opponents. Wrestling at 165, No. 26 Hamiti improved to 4-0 this season with a 10-0 major decision over UNC senior Sonny Santiago to give the Badgers' one of their critical leads against the Tar Heels. He later used two takedowns and four near falls to earn a 16-0 tech fall in two periods against Hofstra's Ricky Stamm.

Wisconsin saw several other wrestlers pick up satisfying victories against the Pride in the second match of the night. Ethan Rotondo (133) pinned Hofstra's Jacob Moon in 6:02 and true freshman Joseph Zargo (141) followed that up with a 22-8 major decision over Hofstra's Justin Hoyle.

Ranked 19th in the country at 149, Austin Gomez earned a 9-4 upset decision against UNC's 16th-ranked Zack Sherman before turning around an hour later to tech fall Hofstra's Mike Leandroup 16-1 in just 1:38.

Andrew McNally also picked up a pin for the Badgers, earning a fall in 3:18 against the Pride's Corey Langer.

Full results are below from both dual matches. Wisconsin now returns to open tournament competition through December. They'll return to dual-match action at home on Friday, Jan. 7 against Northwestern at the UW Field House. View the Badgers full schedule here and buy tickets here. Before Monday, Nov. 29 (Cyber Monday), check out the $2 ticket sale for wrestling matches here.

RESULTS

#15 Wisconsin 20, North Carolina 16	WIS	UNC
125: #6 Eric Barnett (WIS) def. Spencer Moore (UNC), MD 11-0	4	0
133: #10 Jaime Hernandez (UNC) def. Kyle Burwick (WIS), DEC 7-3	4	3
141: #10 Kizhan Clarke (UNC) def. Joseph Zargo (WIS), DEC 9-5	4	6
149: #19 Austin Gomez (WIS) def. #16 Zack Sherman (UNC), DEC 9-4	7	6
157: #7 Austin O'Connor (UNC) def. Garrett Model (WIS), MD 13-5	7	10
165: #26 Dean Hamiti (WIS) def. Sonny Santiago (UNC), MD 10-0	11	10
174: #15 Clay Lautt (UNC) def. #8 Andrew McNally (WIS), DEC 6-1	11	13
184: #23 Gavin Kane (UNC) def. #14 Chris Weiler (WIS), DEC 8-2	11	16
197: #16 Braxton Amos (WIS) def. #26 Max Shaw (UNC), DEC 6-2	14	16
285: #5 Trent Hillger (WIS) def. Brandon Whitman (UNC), FALL 4:08	20	16
Note: Seven lead changes between Badgers and Tar Heels.
Rankings are InterMat Nov. 23.

#15 Wisconsin 38, Hofstra 12	WIS	HOF
125: #6 Eric Barnett (WIS) def. Dylan Acevedo (HOF), FALL 3:34	6	0
133: Ethan Rotondo (WIS) def. Jacob Moon (HOF), FALL 6:02	12	0
141: Joseph Zargo (WIS) def. Justin Hoyle (HOF), MD 22-8	16	0
149: #19 Austin Gomez (WIS) def. Mike Leandrou (HOF), TF 16-1 (1:38)	21	0
157: Joe McGinty (HOF) def. Garrett Model (WIS), FALL 4:14	21	6
165: #26 Dean Hamiti (WIS) def. Ricky Stamm (HOF), TF 16-0 (5:00)	26	6
174: #8 Andrew McNally (WIS) def. Corey Langer (HOF), FALL 3:18	32	6
184: #30 Charles Small (HOF) def. #14 Chris Weiler (WIS), DEC 3-2	32	9
197: #29 Trey Rogers (HOF) def. #16 Braxton Amos (WIS), DEC 6-4 (SV)	32	12
285: #5 Trent Hillger (WIS) def. #20 Zach K. Ward (HOF), FALL 6:56	38	12
Rankings are InterMat Nov. 23.