Springfield, MA – Faced with its toughest test on a weekend trip to New England, The College of New Jersey wrestling team saw its bid for perfection come up just short as the Lions turned in a strong performance at 10^th-ranked Springfield College, but fell to the Pride 24-18 on Sunday.
 
The loss snapped the team's five match winning streak as they dipped to 11-5 on the season.  Springfield, which won the final two bouts to secure the win, improved to 9-2.
 
Freshman PJ Schmidt (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) recorded a 4-2 decision at 133 pounds and at 141 senior Brian Bollette (Newton, NJ/Kittatinny) received a forfeit putting the 30th-ranked Lions in front 9-3.
 
After a Springfield win at 149, junior John Darling (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) blanked his opponent with a 7-0 decision.
 
The Pride then won four of the final five weight classes with the only win in that stretch coming at 184 pounds as senior Mike Denver (Bayville, NJ/Central Regional) pinned Nicholas Camera in 4:04.
 
TCNJ closes out the home part of its schedule on Friday, February 3 as the Lions hosts Wilkes University at 7 p.m. in Packer Hall.
 
#10 Springfield College 24, #30 The College of New Jersey 18
 125: Tom Casper (SC) dec. Joey DiCarlo (TCNJ), 11-6
 133: PJ Schmidt (TCNJ) dec. Derek Adams (SC), 4-2
 141: Brian Bollette (TCNJ) wins by forfeit
 149: Eric Hamrick (SC) dec. Dan Herr (TCNJ), 4-2
 157: John Darling (TCNJ) dec. Ryan McGilvray (SC), 7-0
 165: Derrick Longo (SC) pins Ryan Riegert (TCNJ), 3:24
 174: Mike Fish (SC) dec.. KC Murphy (TCNJ), 5-3
 184: Mike Denver (TCNJ) pins Nicholas Camera (SC), 4:04
 197: Jeremy Burns (SC) dec. Dan Brill (TCNJ), 12-5
 285: John Gabordi (SC) pins Michael Larcamp (TCNJ), 1:53