Kings Point, NY …The College of New Jersey wrestling team posted an impressive 34-3 victory over United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY on Tuesday night.
 
The 10^th-ranked Lions moved to 12-1 on the season, while the Mariners dropped to 6-6 overall. The victory for TCNJ marked the 690^th in program history as they are now 10 wins shy of reaching 700.
 
The Lions seized the first eight bouts of the night, several of which they showed their mettle by coming out on top in close matches. After a forfeit victory at 125, sophomore James Goldschmidt (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) rallied in the third period to defeat William Hardin 5-3. Sophomore Ryan Budzek (Point Pleasant Boro, NJ/Point Pleasant Boro) followed with a major decision, outscoring Daniel May 9-1.
 
At 149, senior Steven Schneider (Park Ridge, NJ/Park Ridge) was locked at 6-6 with Nathan Twito with under a minute remaining. He registered a takedown to ultimately win the match 8-7. Senior Antonio Mancella (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) captured another tight bout, winning 7-4 at 157.
 
In another exciting dual, TCNJ senior Joe Paton (Brick, NJ/Brick Twp) came through in the clutch getting a takedown with just 11 seconds left in the third period to tally an 8-6 decision. Senior Doug Hamann (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) sealed the dual meet at 174, winning by technical fall, 20-1 at the 4:06 mark.
 
Junior Dan Wojtaszek (Brick, NJ/Brick Twp) followed with a major decision, besting Dan Dubinsky 15-5. Sophomore Kyle Cocozza (Farmingdale, NJ/Howell) capped the scoring for the Lions at 285, securing a 9-4 decision.
 
A sidebar component to the match was the head coaches standing across the mat from each other were a pair of TCNJ wrestling All-Americans. Greg Ilaria '04, who is in his eighth season at the helm of the USMMA wrestling program, was an All-American at 157 pounds in 2003 and 2004. Lions Head Coach Joe Galante '07 earned All-American honors at 157 in 2005 and 2007.
 
TCNJ is back on the mat this Friday night when they visit New Jersey rival Centenary College for a 7 p.m. dual meet.
 
TCNJ 34 USMMA 3
 
125: Jimmy Gill (TCNJ) over (USMMA) (For.)
133: James Goldschmidt (TCNJ) over William Hardin (USMMA) (Dec 5-3)
141: Ryan Budzek (TCNJ) over Daniel May (USMMA) (MD 9-1)
149: Steven Schneider (TCNJ) over Nathan Twito (USMMA) (Dec 8-7)
157: Antonio Mancella (TCNJ) over Erik Beshada (USMMA) (Dec 7-4)
165: Joe Paton (TCNJ) over Michael Maye (USMMA) (Dec 8-6)
174: Doug Hamann (TCNJ) over Jake Sherman (USMMA) (TF 20-1 4:06)
184: Dan Wojtaszek (TCNJ) over Dan Dubinsky (USMMA) (MD 15-5)
197: Ricky Fisher (USMMA) over Constantine Rissiotis (TCNJ) (Dec 9-2)
285: Kyle Cocozza (TCNJ) over Brandon Joest (USMMA) (Dec 9-4)