Hoboken, NJ ... The College of New Jersey wrestling team dropped a narrow decision in its season opener, falling to Stevens Institute of Technology, 21-20 on Wednesday night in Hoboken, NJ.

The Lions (0-1) overcame a 15-6 deficit by posting a pair of major decisions and a win by fall, but the Ducks (1-0) snatched their first dual meet victory of the season when heavyweight Pete Andrich produced a pin at 3:36 of the bout.

Freshman Dan Ortega opened the season with an 8-5 decision to give TCNJ an early lead. Sophomore Eric Friedman battled his way to a 3-1 decision at 141 to make it a 6-3 Lions' advantage. Stevens would rattle off a decision, major decision, and tech fall over the next three match-ups to take command of the meet, building a 15-6 advantage.

Rookie Dan Kilroy responded for TCNJ with a 13-4 major decision over Josh Smith at 174. Fellow freshman David LoCascio followed with a 10-4 major decision over Danny Moore to draw the Lions within a point at 15-14. In the 197-pound bout, sophomore Alex Mirabella won via fall at the 2:20 mark. His victory over Shane Triantos pushed TCNJ ahead 20-15, but the late heroics by Andrich gave Stevens the team decision.

The Lions are back in action this Saturday when they visit Ursinus College to compete in the Ursinus College Fall Brawl. Competition is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.

FInal: Stevens 21  TCNJ 20

125: Dan Ortega (TCNJ) dec. 8-5 Rob Murray (SIT); TCNJ leads 3-0
133: Troy Stanich (SIT) dec. 11-4 James Goldschmidt (TCNJ); 3-3
141: Eric Friedman (TCNJ) dec. 3-1 Dylan Van Sickell (SIT); TCNJ leads 6-3
149: Zach Wilhelm (SIT) dec. 4-0 Giancarlo Crivelli (TCNJ); 6-6
157: Thomas Poklikuha (SIT) maj. 16-5 Daniel Hedden (TCNJ); Stevens leads 10-6
165: Colin Navickas (SIT) tech. 18-2 Marcus Sherrod (TCNJ); Stevens leads 15-6
174: Kellen Whitney (TCNJ) maj. 13-4 Josh Smith (SIT); Stevens leads 15-10
184: Dan Kilroy (TCNJ) maj. 10-4 Danny Moore (SIT); Stevens leads 15-14
197: Alex Mirabella (TCNJ) fall 2:20 Shane Triantos (SIT); TCNJ leads 20-15
HWT: Pete Andrich (SIT) pin 3:36 Pat Schnider (TCNJ); Stevens leads 21-20