Ewing, NJ... Interim head coach Joe Galante picked up his first victory as the head of The College of New Jersey wrestling program as the Lions grounded visiting Hunter College 27-10 on Thursday evening.
 
Senior Mike Denver (Bayville, NJ/Central Regional) won the deciding bout, pinning his opponent in 2:14 to seal the Lions first victory of the 2011-2012 season.
 
The Lions dominated from the start, winning the first six matches by decision. Freshman Joe DiCarlo (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) sparked the Lions to a quick lead earning a 9-6 decision in the 125-pound weight class. Sophomore PJ Schmidt (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) then rallied in the final period to register a hard-fought 7-4 victory over Hunter's Arielle Guerrero.
 
At 149, Chris Lombardi (Newton, NJ/Kittatinny) and Chris Gogatz entered the final period in a scoreless battle. After a pair of injury timeouts, Lombardi gained a 2-1 decision to push the lead to 12-0.
 
Junior John Darling (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) took charge of his opponent quickly at 157, before pinning him in 4:50. Sophomore Zach Zotollo (Paramus, NJ/Paramus) then extended the string of victories to six with a 9-6 decision in the 165-pound weight class.
 
The Hawks got on the scoreboard and staved off defeat when Andrew McHugh earned a 12-5 decision at 174. But moments later, Denver registered TCNJ's second pin of the match and his first of the season to clinch the win.
 
Hunter junior Musa DeReese responded with a 5-2 decision in the 197 bout, and sophomore Leon Bodden followed with a 11-3 major decision in the heavyweight class.
 
TCNJ is now 1-1 in dual meets this season, while Hunter dropped to 0-1.
 
The Lions are home again on Sunday, November 20 hosting the Central Jersey Open. The tournament will be held in the Student Recreation Center and get underway at 10 a.m.
 
#20 TCNJ  27 Hunter College 10
Weight-by-weight                                                                                                      
125: Kenny DiCarlo (TCNJ) dec. Kenneth Albert (HC), 9-6
133: PJ Schmidt (TCNJ) dec. Arielle Guerrero  (HC), 7-4
141:  Brian Bollette (TCNJ) dec. Sean Messina (HC), 8-4                   
149: Chris Lombardi (TCNJ) dec. Chris Gogatz (HC), 2-1
157: John Darling (TCNJ) pinned R.J. Pacquette (HC), in 4:50
165: Zach Zotollo (TCNJ) dec. Matt Cartusciello (HC), 9-6
174: Andre McHugh (HC) dec. Mike Kiley, 12-5
184: Mike Denver (TCNJ) pinned Alan Djokic (HC), in 2:14
197: Musa DeReese (HC) dec. Kyle Falzone (TCNJ), 5-2
285: Leon Bodden (HC) 10 major dec. Trevor Salvatore (TCNJ), 11-3