Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey wrestling team dropped a 37-6 decision to eighth-ranked Messiah College on Saturday afternoon in Packer Hall.
 
Less than 24 hours after edging Delaware Valley University, 21-19, the Lions (12-13) ran into a hot opponent as the Falcons improved to 17-3 on the season.
 
The meet opened well for the Lions, as sophomore Luis Rivera (Landisville, NJ/Buena) toughed out a 4-0 shutout win over senior Marshall Myers at 125. Falcon junior Hunter Harris gave Messiah a quick lead after registering his nation-leading 25^th pin of the season. TCNJ answered back as sophomore Ryan Erwin (Milford, NJ/Delaware Valley) posted a hard-fought 4-3 triumph over Lee Cassel at 141 to tie the match at 6.
 
But the Falcons ran off seven straight wins to close the match, including three victories via tech fall. In a battle of nationally ranked opponents at 165, #5 Larry Cannon came out on top with a 12-2 major decision over ninth-ranked Nick Herring (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South). Top-ranked Ben Swarr won via tech fall at 174, while Derek Beitz and eighth-ranked Kyle Koser followed with tech fall triumphs at 184 and 197. Two points in the final seconds by junior Kyle Cocozza (Point Pleasant Boro, NJ/Point Pleasant Boro) forced overtime in the heavyweight bout, Falcon Nick Haven earned the 4-2 win to close the meet.
 
The Lions will now ready for the 2017 NCAA East Regional Championships. The championships will be hosted by Ferrum College and held at Franklin County High School in Rocky Mount, Virginia. The facility is located about 12 miles from Ferrum College and about 23 miles South of Roanoke. The top three finishers from each weight class earn automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championships held March 10 and 11 in LaCrosse, WI.
 
                                                     
Messiah College 37    The College of New Jersey 6
 
125: Luis Rivera (TCNJ) by decision over Marshall Myers (M), 4-0; TCNJ leads. 3-0
133: Hunter Harris (M) by pin over Austin Maltesz (TCNJ), (1:25); Messiah leads, 6-3
141: Ryan Erwin (TCNJ) by decision over Lee Cassel (M), 4-3; Match tied, 6-6
149: Stephen Maloney (M) by major decision over JT Beirne (TCNJ), 15-5; Messiah leads, 10-6
157: Jeff Hognacki (M) by tech fall over Marcus Sherrod (TCNJ), 18-1 (3:43); Messiah leads, 15-6
165: Larry Cannon (M) by major decision over Nick Herring (TCNJ), 12-2; Messiah leads, 19-6
174: Ben Swarr (M) by tech fall over Dan Kilroy (TCNJ), 18-1 (5:40); Messiah leads, 24-6
184: Derek Beitz (M) by tech fall over Kyle Schlittler (TCNJ, 21-6 (2:40) Messiah leads, 29-6
197: Kyle Koser (M) by tech fall over Pat Schinder (TCNJ), 18-0 (4:20); Messiah leads 34-6
285: Nick Havener (M) by decision over Kyle Cocozza (TCNJ), 4-2 (OT); Messiah wins 37-6