Mechanicsburg, PA … The College of New Jersey wrestling team suffered a 29-10 setback at Messiah College on Saturday afternoon in Mechanicsburg, PA.
 
Coming off a tight victory over Delaware Valley University on Friday night, the tenth-ranked Lions (18-3) ran into a tough opponent in the fourth-ranked Falcons (17-2). TCNJ and Messiah were even at 10-10 through the first five weight classes, but the Falcons rolled to five straight wins to capture the home victory.
 
James Goldschmidt (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) continued his outstanding sophomore season with a 15-2 major decision at 133. Goldschmidt is now 16-2 in dual meets this season.
 
Seniors Steven Schneider (Park Ridge, NJ/Park Ridge) and Antonio Mancella (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) also posted wins for the second straight day. Schneider outwrestled his opponent to secure a 5-2 decision at 149 before Mancella tallied a 7-4 triumph at 157. Mancella is currently ranked 10th nationally at 157 pounds and he bested fifth-ranked Larry Cannon in that bout.
 
TCNJ will now focus all of its efforts on the NCAA East Regional Championships. The Lions will visit Washington and Lee University on February 27^th and 28^th. The top three finishers in each weight class earn automatic bids to the NCAA Division III National Championships held in Cedar Rapids, IA on March 11^th and 12^th.
 
Messiah 29    TCNJ 10
 
125 - Malmberg (M) tech. fall Austin Maltez (T) 21-5 (4:36)
133 – James Goldschmidt (T) major dec. Harris (M) 15-2
141 - Walsh (M) major dec. Jimmy Gill (T) 11-3
149 – Steven Schneider (T) dec. Kabakjian (M) 5-2
157 – Antonio Mancella (T) dec. Cannon (M) 7-4
165 - Hojnacki (M) dec. Joe Paton (T) 4-0
174 - Swarr (M) dec. Doug Hamann (T) 6-4
184 - Thomson (M) dec. Dan Wojtaszek (T) 4-1
197 - Koser (M) tech. fall Alex Mirabella (T) 17-2
285 - Wright (M) pinned Stephen Boncimino (T) (2:14)