SLIPPERY ROCK — Needing a major decision and a win in the final two matches of the night, Slippery Rock High wrestling coach Tyler Allen turned to a freshman who had never wrestled before this season and a sophomore.

They delivered.

Shane Slater notched a 12-4 major decision at 182 pounds to draw the Rockets to within two of rival Grove City, then Zane Wolfe earned a 7-2 win at 195 pounds to give Slippery Rock a 37-36 home victory over the Eagles Thursday night.

“Shane Slater is going to be tough,” Allen said. “I’m excited about him. He’s getting there and he’s smart.

“We needed him to win by eight to get the extra point and he did it,” Allen added. “That was the difference.”

Slater set things up for a dramatic final match between Wolf and Steve Boyle of Grove City.

After a scoreless first period, Wolf got a takedown to take a 2-1 lead after two and took control in the final period for the win.

Wolf sprinted off the mat in triumph after his victory.

Wolf was penciled in to wrestle at 182, but Allen did a lot of shuffling after Grove City dominated the middle weight classes.

The Eagles grabbed a pair of one-point victories at 126 and 132 pounds. Ken Bable rallied from a big deficit to eke out a 9-8 decision over Shane Huselton and Ryan Grace won a 3-2 overtime match against Matt Andrascik.

“We lost a couple of close ones and I thought that was going to cost us,” Allen said. “We moved some guys around to get better matchups. It’s so nice having a full lineup.”

That’s not all Allen changed. Instead of a light practice Wednesday, Allen ran his team through a rigorous pace the day before this match.

“The intensity was there tonight. They wrestled well and definitely looked better than they did in the last two matches,” Allen said. “That’s because they are working a lot harder in the room. You can tell they want it. The desire is there.

“It’s nice to get a win like this after a practice like that to show them hard work pays off,” Allen added.

For Grove City, a team full of young wrestlers, the loss was a tough one.

But, ultimately, longtime Eagles’ coach Marty Ruley has bigger goals in mind for his wrestlers.

“Our goal is the same every year,” Ruley said. “Get as many wrestlers to Hershey as possible.”

Ruley said he has several who can accomplish that goal, including Bable, Grace, 138-pounder Luke Walter, 145-pounder Jarod Semple, 152-pounder Trey Maher and 160-pounded Chet Simoni.

All six won their matches against the Rockets, Walter and Semple by pin and Maher and Simoni by forfeit.

Slippery Rock heavyweight Forrest Christmann was forced to watch again, receiving another forfeit win.

Christmann has not wrestled in a dual match this season.

“We can’t get him a match,” Allen said. “He’s 250, so there’s no chance to drop him down and you can’t bump him up.”

Slippery Rock 37, Grove City 36

(Match started at 220 pounds)

106-Chad Bable (GC) by forfeit; 113-Adam Johns (SR) by forfeit; 120-Jacob Shipton (SR) by forfeit; 126-Ken Bable (GC) dec. Dave Huselton 9-8; 132-Ryan Grace (GC) dec. Matt Andrascik 3-2 (OT); 138-Luke Walker (GC) pinned Chris Rensel 1:26; 145-Jarod Semple (GC) pinned Manfred Johns 1:46; 152-Trey Maher (GC) by forfeit; 160-Chet Simoni (GC) by forfeit; 170-Dalton Hilliard (SR) pinned Logan Pryor :50; 182-Shane Slater (SR) maj. dec. Zion Scriven 12-4; 195-Zane Wolf (SR) dec. Steve Boyle 7-2; 220-Tim Kerr (SR) pinned Austin Steleve 1:24; Hwt.-Forrest Christmann (SR) by forfeit