Just a few days before Monday night's home meet against Palisades, Northwestern had only six wrestlers at practice.

On Martin Luther King Day, the Tigers (1-7 CL, 4-13 overall) got as close to full strength as they have been since the calendar turned to 2014 as they only forfeited three bouts. Despite the fuller lineup, however, Northwestern succumbed to Palisades, 49-16, in Colonial League wrestling.

"It was tough for the coaches and the wrestlers to have the little amount of kids that we did," said Tiger head coach Jim Moll. "It was nice to have [Andrew] Sorenson and the other kids back out here tonight."

The match started at the 195-pound weight class where Nick Bord of Palisades (6-0, 14-9) received a forfeit, which gave the Pirates a 6-0 lead before a Tiger even stepped onto the mat.

Palisades earned a pin and another six points at 220 before a double-forfeit at 285. Northwestern got its first points at 106 as Baily Wehr received a forfeit to make the team score 12-6 in favor of Palisades.

"We always just preach improvement," said Moll. "If you just keep getting better, the wins will take care of themselves down the road. They are a tough team. They probably are in contention for the Colonial League. So you do what you can against them."

Quentin Bernhard did what he could against Palisades's Jacob Wasser at 113. Wasser placed fourth in the state last year. The two were tied 0-0 till late in the match when Wasser earned a quick point from an escape and that is all he needed as the two dueled in what was the most intense match of the evening. Wasser won by decision and tacked on three more team points, pushing the Pirates lead to 15-6.

Jarett White at 120 faced off against Nick Vinciguerra of Palisades and picked up 11 straight points before Vinciguerra could muster two points. White won by major decision, picking up another four team points for the Tigers. Northwestern still trailed 15-10.

"I was a little nervous at first," the sophomore admitted about facing Vinciguerra. "I knew he placed at states last year. When I got in the match I realized that I was really in there and it gave me some pride, which helped me to do better."

Despite being unable to get the pin on Monday, Moll is looking for White's season to end in at the state championships.

"We are hoping to get him to Hershey and get a medal out there," said Moll. "Last year he got out there and didn't have a great regional tournament. He is trying new stuff and improving."

The Pirates picked up points at 126, 132 and 138 as they won by tech fall, pin and forfeit, respectively.

Heading to 160, the Tigers found themselves down 43-10 and picked up their final points of the night as Sorenson received a forfeit, which made it 43-16.

"[I have seen improvement] from most guys," Moll said. "But there is still a lot of work to do."