EWING, N.J. – The no. 13 TCNJ wrestling team claimed six of ten bouts, including four of the final five, to defeat no. 11 Stevens, 24-16, on Saturday afternoon. The Lions earned bonus points in each of the final four victories to secure the win and advance to 2-0 on the season, while the Ducks dropped to 0-2 on the year.
 
Trailing 13-6, Matthew Sacco took the mat at 165. Sacco scored early and often, claiming a major decision, 11-2. Reid Colella followed with a 15-5 major decision of his own to give TCNJ a lead it would not relinquish. Thomas Anderson claimed the Lions' third straight major decision with a 14-5 win at 184.
 
"Our wrestlers know that if everyone does their job then the team score will take care of itself," said head coach Joe Galante. "Obstacles create opportunities and our guys made the most of those situations."
 
The most competitive match of the day came at 197. Fifth-ranked Quinn Haddad took on third-ranked Michael Dooley. Dooley jumped out to a 4-1 lead at the end of the first. Haddad appeared to close the gap with a takedown late in the second period, but it was ruled to be after the second-period buzzer. Dooley countered all of Haddad's attacks in the third and held on for a 5-2 victory.
 
Thomas Marretta won by forfeit at heavyweight to produce the final score.
 
TCNJ started the day with decision wins at 125 and 133 by Nick Denora and Jake Giordano. Stevens countered with three straight victories to set up Sacco's turning-point victory.
 
The Lions return to the mat on Wednesday when they complete the home-and-home with a trip to Stevens. Match time is set for 6 p.m.
 
#13 TCNJ 24, #11 Stevens 16
125 – Nick Denora (T) dec. Andrew Finateri (S) 11-6; TCNJ leads 3-0
133 - #2 Jake Giordano (T) dec. Luke Hoerle (S) 6-1; TCNJ leads 6-0
141 - #8 Kyle Slendorn (S) maj. Domenic Difrancescantonio (T) 17-8; TCNJ leads 6-4
149 - #2 Brett Kaliner (S) WBF Robert Dinger (T) 2:33; Stevens leads 10-6
157 – Nick Boggiano (S) dec. David Santiago (T) 7-4; Stevens leads 13-6
165 – Matthew Sacco (T) maj. Jarret Weir (S) 11-2; Stevens leads 13-10
174 – Reid Colella (T) maj. Joel Martinovsky (S) 15-5; TCNJ leads 14-13
184 – Thomas Anderson (T) maj. Nico Ziccardi (S) 14-5; TCNJ leads 18-13
197 - #3 Michael Dooley (S) dec. #5 Quinn Haddad (T) 5-2; TCNJ leads 18-16
HWT – Thomas Marretta (T) Fft.; TCNJ wins 24-16
 
Extra Countable Matches
165 – Joseph Schneider (S) maj. Thomas Stigliano (T) 14-4
HWT – Dylan D'Amore (T) dec. Peter Wersinger (T) 4-3 OT-2
133 – Luke Hoerle (S) maj. Larry Melchionda (T) 12-1
141 - Domenic Difrancescantonio (T) dec. Trevor Mastorio (S) 6-4
141 – Joseph Fiordaliso (T) WBF William Fernandez (S) 3:28
149 – Pasquale Vizzoni (S) WBF Thomas Dinger (T) 1:50
165 – Jonah Schnectman (S) dec. Nick Golden (T) 3-2
184 – Joel Martinsovky (S) WBF Brett MacMath (T) 4:04
197 – Kal-El Corbitt (T) dec. Nico Ziccardi (S) 8-2
165 – Thomas Stigliano (T) dec. James Snyder (S) 7-4