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Williamsport, PA… The opening day of the 2014 Budd Whitehill Duals resulted in a split for The College of New Jersey wrestling team in its two matches, but the Lions held their own with both opponents being nationally ranked.

The tournament started with a 19-18 win over 26^th-ranked Thiel College with the teams finishing the match deadlocked at 18-18, but TCNJ garnered an extra point on criteria winning six of the 10 bouts. The Lions faced another ranked opponent in their next match in seventh-ranked Olivet College and challenged the Comets before falling 22-12.

TCNJ is now 2-2 on the season and will resume competition on Saturday at 9 a.m. against the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

Against Thiel, the Lions started strong winning six of the first seven bouts. Freshman Kevin Corrigan (Beachwood, NJ/Toms River South) got things rolling with an 8-3 decision at 125, while junior Joey DiCarlo (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) followed with a 13-7 decision at 133.

After the Tomcats trimmed the deficit to 6-3 with a victory at 141, TCNJ reeled off four straight wins. Sophomore Dylan Thorsen (Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere) kicked off that run with a 7-2 win at 149 and freshman Chris Serpico (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) collected a 7-4 victory at 157. Sophomore Antonio Mancella (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) increased TCNJ's lead to 15-3 with a narrow 3-2 decision, while senior Zach Zotollo (Paramus, NJ/Paramus) capped off the string of wins in style at 174. Zotollo blanked third-ranked Jordan Powell, 5-0 to put the difference at 18-3.

Thiel rallied to tie score 15 points in the final three weight class, but the Lions prevailed as they won on criteria winning six weight classes.

Things were a little tougher against the Comets with Olivet jumping out in front with a win at 125. DiCarlo won his second match of the day at 133 to tie things up.

Olivet pushed the lead to 10-3, but TCNJ continued to battle as they posted three straight wins to forge in front 12-10. Sophomore Nick Herring (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South) won 3-2 at 157 and Mancella followed with a 12-8 victory at 165. Zotollo gave the Lions their only lead of the match at 174, securing a 3-1 decision.

DiCarlo, Mancella, and Zotollo each finished the day 2-0.

Olivet then won the final three weight classes to come away with the win.