By: Tobiah Zboray '25, Athletics Communications Student Assistant
ITHACA, N.Y. - The Ithaca College wrestling program returned to the South Hill on Saturday as they competed in a dual against the No. 12 ranked The College of New Jersey. It was a closely fought contest, with the Lions earning a 20-15 team victory over the Bombers with the decisive points coming in the final bout.
Matt Griffin opened the dual scoring an early takedown to go up 3-0.
Cosmo Damiani was able to earn the escape point, but Griffin was once again on the offensive attack scoring major points, and eventually was able to score a 21-2 technical fall. The Lions were once again able to score first in the 133 lbs. matchup between
Francisco Muriel and Kyle Nase, with Nase earning a quick three points on a takedown and after the first period he held a 7-0 lead. Nase was able to show off his overall strength throughout the bout and eventually won via pin (4:41).
TCNJ struck first again in the 141 lbs. bout between Sam Kotch and Matt Haycock, as Kotch scored the first three points and held a 3-1 lead going into the second period. Kotch was able to score a major attack in the second period, taking control of his opponents back to lead 7-2 entering the third period. Haycock was able to score two escape points before losing via decision (10-4).
Matthew Beyer returned to action on Saturday in a matchup against Mayson Harms. Neither was able to score an offensive attack in the first period, but Beyer scored a quick escape point, and the match's real shot was by him, getting a takedown as Beyer held a 4-1 lead entering the third period. Beyer continued to make it hard on his opponent, and after a flurry, Beyer scored again bringing his lead to 7-2 with just under a minute left. He eventually scored a 7-3 decision to earn a victory.
Wenchard Pierre-Louis used his defensive prowess to fend off an opponent's early attack and used his athleticism to score the first takedown and take a 3-1 lead into the second period. In the third period, Pierre-Louis earned a quick escape to maintain a two-point lead (4-2). In the closing seconds, he was able to defend his opponent's attacks to earn the decision win. In an incredible start form
Konrad Parker, going against nationally ranked Nicholas Sacco, he earned a takedown with under a minute left in the first period, but Sacco quickly reversed making it 3-2. The number two-ranked Sacco in the most recent D3wrestle.com rankings was able to show his composure, eventually scoring the narrow 7-5 decision.
In the 174 lbs. bout,
Jackson Gray was able to hold off his opponent's attacks as neither scored in the first period. It was an extremely defensive bout, with Gray winning as it was even under 30 seconds as he scored a takedown in the closing seconds to secure a 5-1 decision.
It was a defensive matchup early for
Jake Jones, with both earning escape points, but it was Jones who scored three points that got the crowd on its feet, before doing it once again to earn a 7-2 decision. Going into the final two bouts, TCNJ held a 17-12 team lead.
Ryan Galka got a big-time takedown over Chris Stravrou to take an early 3-0 lead and also reversed his opponent's shot bringing it to a 6-1 lead after the first period. Galka held his opponent at bay for the remainder of the dual, earning a 7-2 decision.
Peter Wersinger was able to take a first period shot, scoring three points on
Jeremy Mazzella as he held a 3-1 advantage going into the second. Mazzella earned a quick escape as it all came down to the third period, with Wersinger leading 3-2. Within the closing 30 seconds, Mazzella was able to take down his opponent to force overtime with the matchup tied 5-5. Wersinger was able to earn a takedown on Mazzella in overtime to earn an 8-5 win over Wersinger, securing the 20-15 team victory for the Lions.
The Bombers will travel to compete in the John Reese Duals at Wilkes tomorrow January 28 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, taking on Springfield, Keystone and Penn College as part of the John Reece Duals.
No. 12 The College of New Jersey 20, Ithaca 15
125 LBS: Matt Griffin (TCNJ) defeated
Cosmo Damiani (Ithaca) (TF 21-2 2:05)
133 LBS: Kyle Nace (TCNJ) defeated
Francisco Muriel (Ithaca) (Fall 4:41)
141 LBS: Sam Kotch (TCNJ) defeated
Matt Haycook (Ithaca) (Dec 10-4)
149 LBS:
Matthew Beyer (Ithaca) defeated Mayson Harms (TCNJ) (Dec 7-3)
157 LBS:
Wenchard Pierre-Louis (Ithaca) defeated Ryan Datz (TCNJ) (Dec 4-2)
165 LBS: Nicholas Sacco (TCNJ) defeated
Konrad Parker (Ithaca) (Dec 6-5)
174 LBS:
Jackson Gray (Ithaca) defeated James Romaine (TCNJ) (Dec 5-1)
184 LBS:
Jake Jones (Ithaca) defeated Reid Colella (TCNJ) (Dec 7-2)
197 LBS:
Ryan Galka (Ithaca) defeated Chris Stavrou (TCNJ) (Dec 7-2)
285 LBS: Peter Wersinger (TCNJ) defeated
Jeremy Mazzella (Ithaca) (SV-1 8-5)
Exhibition:
141 LBS: Jason Giordano (TCNJ) defeated
Liam Musante (Ithaca) (Maj 9-0)
184 LBS: Jake Gerish (TCNJ) defeated
Eamon Callaghan (Ithaca) (Maj 18-4)
