EWING, N.J. – The No. 17 TCNJ wrestling team made quick work of a Friday matinee against New Jersey City, piling up four pins on the way to a 43-0 victory inside Packer Hall.

Domenic Difrancescantonio, Mike Conklin, Daniel Surich, and Peter Wersinger all won by fall for the Lions (3-0), who were competing at home for the first time in more than two months and against an NJAC institution for the first time in 15 years. Friday's match was the first ever against the Gothic Knights, who started their program in 2020 and are the only other NJAC school to sponsor wrestling.

Nick Denora got the Lions started with a 10-7 victory over George Rivera at 125, staving off a late run by the Gothic Knights grappler and using a late escape and riding-time bonus to stake the hosts to a quick lead.

Kyle Nase followed with a matching 10-7 win at 133 in his dual debut. The rookie was locked in a 4-4 stalemate after two periods and facing a sizeable riding time disadvantage, but scored a quick takedown for some breathing room and added two more for good measure.

Difrancescantonio needed only 48 seconds for his third pin of the season, and Conklin picked up his third in style. The first-year man started the second period in down position and immediately scored a reversal, pinning his opponent on his back and polishing off the fall just 13 seconds into the stanza.

Matt Sacco registered a 9-3 decision over Jeff Johnson at 157.

Matt Surich came up with a thrilling victory at 165. He trailed 4-2 heading into the third, but a quick escape and a takedown with 1:25 remaining put Surich back on top, and he managed to ride out the rest of the period for a 6-4 triumph.

Reid Colella racked up four near-fall points and over four minutes of riding time en route to an 11-0 major decision at 174 before Daniel Surich pinned his 184-pound opponent in just 48 seconds to match Difrancescantonio's time.

Quinn Haddad secured a 6-2 decision at 197 before Wersinger closed out the dual with his third pin of the season at heavyweight. Wersinger racked up two four-point near falls and led 12-1 before taking Jace Macfie to the mat with 22 seconds left in the first period.

The Lions put their unbeaten record to the test with a trip to Wilkes on Sunday for the John Reese Duals. TCNJ will match up with No. 9 RIT, Oneonta, and West Virginia Tech.

#17 TCNJ 43, NJCU 0
125 – Nick Denora (TCNJ) dec. George Rivera, 10-7 (3-0)
133 – Kyle Nase (TNJ) dec. Andre Ruiz, 10-7 (6-0)
141 – Domenic Difrancescantonio (TCNJ) pinned Dom Merola, 0:48 (12-0)
149 – Mike Conklin (TCNJ) pinned Michael Cross, 3:13 (18-0)
157 – Matt Sacco (TCNJ) dec. Jeff Johnson, 9-3 (21-0)
165 – Matt Surich (TCNJ) dec. Matt Armamento, 6-4 (24-0)
174 – Reid Colella (TCNJ) maj. dec. Shane Lallkissoon, 11-0 (28-0)
184 – Daniel Surich (TCNJ) pinned Jaydin Mahon, 0:48 (34-0)
197 – Quinn Haddad (TCNJ) dec. Kyle Hillermeier, 6-2 (37-0)
285 – Peter Wersinger (TCNJ) pinned Jace Mafie, 2:38 (43-0)
Ex. – Steven Schwab (TCNJ) dec. Jon Mejia, 5-3
Ex. – Nick Sacco (TCNJ) pinned Tyler Bailey, 2:34