Wilkes-Barre, PA… The College of New Jersey wrestling team (5-2) defeated King's College (0-13) on Friday afternoon by a final score of 45-6, and topped Muhlenberg College (4-1) by a 28-12 margin on Friday night.

Jake Giordano (South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) won by decision as he prevailed in a close 9-8 bout at 133 pounds. Robert Dinger (Middlesex, NJ/Middlesex) continued to wrestle well at 141 pounds, as he won by fall. At 149 pounds, Eric Friedman (Chester, NJ/West Morris Mendham) was tied up 1-1 in an evenly matched bout, however triumphed with a take down in the final seconds of the third period to take a 3-1 decision.  Mark Gerstacker (Hopewell, NJ/Hopewell Valley) pinned his opponent at 157 pounds, and Dominic Fano (Montville, NJ/Montville Township) followed that up with a pin of his own at 165 pounds. Dan Kilroy (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) kept the momentum going for the Lions with a pin at 184 pounds, and Kyle Cocozza (Farmingdale, NJ/Howell) ended the match taking a 3-1 decision in overtime in the heavyweight bout.

The College of New Jersey 45 - King's 6 
125 - Dan Ortega (TCNJ) won by forfeit
133 - Jake Giordano (TCNJ) dec. Dakota Quick (K),9-8
141 - Robert Dinger (TCNJ) pinned Jake Taylor (K), 2:46
149 – Eric Friedman (TCNJ) dec. Jake Daniel (K), 3-1
157 – Mark Gerstacker (TCNJ) pinned Tony Immediato (K), 2:44
165 – Dominic Fano (TCNJ) pinned Josh Nagel (K), 2:13
174 – JT Beirne (TCNJ) won by forfeit  
184 – Dan Kilroy (TCNJ) pinned Anthony Harmon-Miller (K), 0:50
197 – Eddie Merrill (K) pinned Daniel Surich (TCNJ), 6:32
285 – Kyle Cocozza (TCNJ) dec. Ralph Bernardo (K), 3-1 OT

Against Muhlenberg, the Lions grabbed control of the match early as they won the first four bouts. Dan Ortega (North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) got the Lions going right off the bat as he pinned his opponent at 125 pounds. James Goldschmidt (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) dominated his match at 133 pounds en route to a 17-6 major decision in his season debut. At 141 pounds, Dinger pinned his opponent for the fourth time in as many bouts, and Ryan Budzek (Point Pleasant Boro, NJ/Point Pleasant Boro) took an 8-4 decision at 149 pounds to put the Lions up 19-0. Muhlenberg prevailed in the next two bouts and attempted to climb back into the match, however Kilroy thwarted those efforts as he won by decision 6-0 at 174 pounds. Thomas Anderson (Middletown, NJ/Middletown North) and Alex Mirabella (Fanwood, NJ/Scotch Plains Fanwood) finished the day strong for the Lions, as Anderson took a 6-1 decision and Mirabella took a slim 10-7 decision. 

The College of New Jersey 28 Muhlenberg College 12
125 Dan Ortega (TCNJ) pinned Mike DaBramo, 1:21  
133 James Goldschmidt (TCNJ) maj. dec. Connor McGee, 17-6 
141 Robert Dinger (TCNJ) pinned Austin Sherman, 2:17 
149 Ryan Budzek (TCNJ) dec. Michael Dougan, 8-4 
157 Nick Daza (M) dec. Anthony Gagliano, 9-4 
165 Dylan Schwartz (M) dec. Dominic Fano, 9-6 
174 Dan Kilroy (TCNJ) dec. Jimmy Fratantoni, 6-0 
184 Thomas Anderson (TCNJ) dec. Mike Cannon, 6-1 
197 Alex Mirabella (TCNJ) dec. Gennaro Cerminara, 10-7
HWT Scott Schaeffer (M) pinned Kyle Cocozza

With these two victories, the Lions have won five consecutive duals. The Lions resume action next weekend, as they will participate in the Budd Whitehill Duals hosted by Lycoming College on January 12^th-13^th.