The No. 20 Virginia wrestling team picked up another impressive win against Rutgers at Memorial Gymnasium Sunday by a 24-12 margin, taking seven of 10 weight classes on its way to a sixth consecutive victory.

The Cavaliers competed without two mainstays, as No. 11 redshirt junior Matt Snyder injured his knee last week against Maryland  and No. 20 redshirt senior Matt Nelson also did not compete. Virginia coach Steve Garland did not disclose any details of Nelson’s injury.

“It was just a timing thing,” Garland said. “Because [Snyder’s injury] happened last week in the middle of a huge match, he just didn’t have enough time to heal, but he’ll be back soon. Matt Nelson’s got a little more serious thing, but he’s as tough a kid as I’ve ever met and he’ll be back.”

Virginia forfeited the 125-pound weight class, Snyder’s usual slot.

Freshman Joseph Martinez did not miss a beat while wrestling in place of Nelson at the 133-pound weight class, taking a 7-5 decision against redshirt junior Joe Langel.

“I’m really happy with the way we responded,” No. 17 redshirt freshman Nick Sulzer said. “We had a lot of guys sitting out and obviously before a big dual meet you always think about those kinds of things, but we have 100 percent confidence in anyone who steps out onto the mat.”

After the Cavaliers fell behind early, No. 8 redshirt senior Nick Nelson tied the match by posting a 6-3 decision against redshirt senior Billy Ashnault.

Virginia sophomore Gus Sako broke the tie in the 149-pound weight class when he orchestrated the surprise of the night with his shocking 5-3 upset victory against No. 5 redshirt junior Mario Mason while chants of “Sako” rang throughout Memorial Gym.

“I almost cried,” Sako said. “I had to go into the corner to make sure people didn’t see me crying. It was awesome seeing the crowd go nuts. I had my family here, my girlfriend here and it was just an awesome win.”

Although Sako has flown under the radar this season, Garland said Sako’s performance was no fluke and he expects the young wrestler to build off the big win.

“We’ve been saying for years that he’s a freak,” Garland said. “I don’t know what the deal is with the national rankings, but he’s freaking good and he showed it out there tonight.”

The Cavaliers claimed the next two bouts after Sako’s win, as reigning ACC Wrestler of the Week redshirt junior Jedd Moore dominated redshirt freshman Anthony Volpe en route to a 15-0 tech fall and Sulzer upset No. 13 redshirt junior Scott Winston by a 5-2 margin.

The win was a much-needed rebound for Sulzer after undefeated No. 2 Maryland junior Josh Asper won 4-3 in his last mathcup. Despite his success, Sulzer is looking at the bigger picture for the Cavaliers.

“I think that’s one thing our team does really well,” Sulzer said. “We’re all looking forward to the NCAA Tournament and being All-Americans and NCAA champions. When we go to practice we think about that rather than the match ahead.”

With the Cavaliers leading 17-6, the two teams split the final four matches. Rutgers picked up the first of their two contested wins during the 174-pound weight class match, in which No. 17 redshirt junior Greg Zannetti managed to outlast freshman Vinny Waldhauser and escape with a 9-8 decision. The second victory came two bouts later when redshirt junior Daniel Rinaldi defeated senior Ryan Malo 7-3 at the 197-pound weight class.

No. 14 redshirt sophomore Jon Fausey picked up a 13-5 major decision in the 184-pound weight class against redshirt sophomore Dan Seidenberg.

Redshirt freshman Derek Papagianopoulos shut out redshirt senior Daniel Hopkins 4-0 in the heavyweight bout to end the meet.

Next up, Virginia will travel to Boone, N.C. Saturday to take on Appalachian State, and the team is eager to continue to improve.

“It doesn’t really matter what day it is or who we’re wrestling, you can always get better,” Sako said. “The final goal is March 17 … I want to be standing up on that podium.”