GRANTHAM, Pa. – The College of New Jersey wrestling team saw its 15-match winning streak snapped Saturday afternoon, falling at Messiah College 21-18. The sixth-ranked Lions dropped to 16-2 on the season, while the 17^th-ranked Falcons improved to 17-5.
 
The Falcons got off to a quick start at 149 and 157, getting a pin and technical fall to build up an 11-0 lead. A tight, 3-2, decision by Messiah at 165 extended the advantage to 14-0.
 
Ninth-ranked Dan Kilroy countered for the Lions with a major decision at 174. Daniel Surich followed with a win at 184.
 
Thomas Anderson produced a major decision at 197. When Thomas Marretta defeated his opponent at heavyweight, the Lions tied the team score at 14-14.
 
Dan Ortega would give the Lions their first lead of the match with a major decision at 125 that pushed his record for the season to 18-0.
 
Messiah would claim the final two bouts at 133 and 141 to produce the final score.
 
The win snapped a two-match winning streak by the Lions in the series, including a 38-3 TCNJ win at the Budd Whitehill Duals in January.
 
The Lions dual schedule for 2019-20 is now complete. The reserves will compete at the Futures Tournament hosted by Muhlenberg College on Feb. 23. The NCAA Regional begins Feb. 29.
 
No. 17 Messiah 21 No. 6 TCNJ 18
149 - Nick Barnhart (Messiah) fall (:41) Anthony Gagliano (TCNJ)
157 - Stephen Maloney (Messiah) tech fall (16-0) Matt Surich (TCNJ)
165 - Matt Pangle (Messiah) decision (3-2) over Alfonso Pinto Jr. (TCNJ)
174 - Dan Kilroy (TCNJ) major decision (10-2) over Brian Shermeyer (Messiah)
184 - Daniel Surich (TCNJ) decision (6-2) over David Stevens (Messiah)
197 - Thomas Anderson (TCNJ) major decision (15-6) over Joe Embleton (Messiah)
285 - Thomas Marretta (TCNJ) decision (8-1) over Carter Urich (Messiah)
125 - Dan Ortega (TCNJ) major decision (13-4) over Sean Redington (Messiah)
133 - Josiah Gehr (Messiah) decision (22-15) over Domenic Difrancescantonio (TCNJ)
141 - Garret Cornell (Messiah) major decision (14-6) over Robert Dinger (TCNJ)