Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey wrestling team battled back from a nine-point to tie Wilkes University, but the visiting Colonels won the final two weight classes for a 19-13 win and spoiled an electric atmosphere in Packer Hall on Friday.
 
The College had been promoting the match as "Pack Packer Hall" with the hopes of filling the main side of the gym that holds 688 fans. The attendance exceeded that with the crowd spilling over into the second set of bleachers and the VIP seating completely filled.
 
Prior to the match, the big crowd got a glimpse into the rich tradition of the program as a large number former Lions were introduced as part of "Alumni Night." The program was well represented with wrestlers from six different decades being honored. Wrestling first became a varsity sport at the College for the 1966-67 season and through the years has produced five NCAA Division III National Championships, 21 individual NCAA Division champions, one NCAA Division I champion, and more than 650 dual-meet wins.
 
The loss dropped the 25^th-ranked Lions to 8-6 on the season, while the ninth-ranked Colonels improved to 16-3.
 
Once the meet started, the Colonels got the early lead winning the first two bouts to forge a 7-0 lead.
 
The hosts got on the scoreboard at 141 pounds with Steve Schneider (Park Ridge, NJ/Park Ridge) collecting a 10-2 major decision to cut the deficit to 7-4.
 
Wilkes added to its lead to 13-4 with decisions at 149 and 157 pounds, but the Lions didn't let the Colonels expand that margin. Antonio Mancella (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) picked up a 9-4 win at 165 and 10^th-ranked Zach Zotollo (Paramus, NJ/Paramus) followed that up with a 10-3 triumph at 174. Those wins pulled the hosts to within 13-10.
 
Top-ranked Brian Broderick (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) pulled the Lions even with a 6-2 decision at 184 pounds. That victory was the 99^th of his career putting him on the doorstep of joining the program's 100-win club.
 
The Colonels then won by decision at 197 and 285 to earn the win.
 
The Lions are back at home on Friday, February 14 when they host Delaware Valley College at 7:30 p.m.