PROVIDENCE, R.I.- The No. 12 ranked TCNJ wrestling team defeated No. 7 Johnson & Wales 22-21 on the road in a top-15 matchup on Friday night.
 
The Lions (4-1) earned the victory over the Wildcats (3-2) with a team point for criteria as they had the advantage in match points by a score of 67-63.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• Starting at 165, Alex Strashinsky kicked off the night with a 6-3 win over Thomas DiResta after a takedown in the final 30 seconds; giving the Lions a 3-0 lead.
• James Romaine (174) followed up Strashinsky with a near major in his 7-3 win as Christian Murphy avoided the major, escaping free with seconds left in the third.
• The 10^th ranked wrestler at 125 pounds in Matthew Griffin picked up four points for the Lions after a 17-4 win against Harrison Gordon to bring the score to 13-10 in favor of the Wildcats.

• After a loss at 133, Sam Kotch (141) delivered a big win for the Blue & Gold, dominating in a 21-6 tech. fall. The win over Jake Eckerly brought the team score to 17-15 Johnson & Wales
• Mike Conklin (149) earned a massive win for the Lions, reversing on Jordan Suarez and earning the pin just as time expired in the third to put TCNJ ahead 21-17.
• The final match brought the final score to 21-21, which brought the dual down to criteria.

 
UP NEXT:

• The Lions are back in action bright and early on Saturday morning as they head to Bristol, R.I. for the Scott Viera Open, starting at 9:00 AM.

 
TCNJ 22, JWU 21
165 Alex Strahinsky (TCNJ) def. DiResta (JWU) (decision 6-3)                             0-3
174 James Romaine (TCNJ) def. Murphy (JWU) (decision 9-3)                                0-6
184 DeVivo (JWU) def. Austin Raynor (TCNJ) (maj. decision 13-3)                         4-6
197 Harr (JWU) def. Chris Stavrou (TCNJ) (fall 2:26)                                             10-6
285 Betancur (JWU) def. Peter Wersinger (TCNJ) (decision 3-3)                           13-6
125 Matthew Griffin (TCNJ) def. Gordon (JWU) (maj. decision 17-4)                          13-10
133 Fry (JWU) def. Kyle Nase (TCNJ) (maj. decision 17-5)                                  17-10
141 Sam Kotch (TCNJ) def. Eckerle (JWU) (tech fall 21-6 6:40)                           17-15
149 Mike Conklin (TCNJ) def. Suarez (JWU) via pin (7:00)                                   17-21
157 Richardson (NWJU) def. Ryan Datz (TCNJ) (maj. decision 14-3)                   21-21
*TCNJ earns one team point for winning match points 67-63*               22-21