The 11th-ranked Pride of Hofstra won seven of 10 weight classes, including a pin by Chris Skretkowicz (pictured) at heavyweight, on the way to a 27-12 CAA victory over the Monarchs of Old Dominion Sunday afternoon. Hofstra, which extended its conference match undefeated streak to 38 (37-0-1), improves to 9-3 on the season and 3-0 in CAA play. ODU falls to 7-5 overall and 5-2 in conference action.
Senior Paul Siemon opened the match at 174 with a 6-0 shutout of John Adams. Siemon improves to 18-5 overall and 3-0 in CAA action. The Pride shuffled the line-up on Sunday, bumping up freshman Joe Rovelli at 184 and senior Chris Skretkowicz at 197 a weight class. Hofstra forfeited the 184-pound weight class to the CAA's second-ranked wrestler Adam Wright to give the Monarchs a 6-3 lead. But Rovelli (15-6, 3-0) posted a 10-1 major decision over Shea Smith at 197 and Skretkowicz (21-1, 3-0) pinned John Dolida in 2:05 at heavyweight to give the Pride a 13-6 lead.
The CAA's number one-ranked 125-pounder Christian Staylor downed Dave Tomasette (12-9, 2-1) to bring the Monrachs back within four in the match at 13-9. But Hofstra freshman Charles Griffin won his fifth straight match to improve to 19-3 overall and 3-0 in the CAA with a 14-1 major decision over B.J. Compton at 133 pounds. ODU closed the gap again as Shannon Slack edged John Manarte (8-7, 1-1) 3-2.
But Hofstra shut the door from there by winning the final three weight classes. Junior Jon Masa (13-7, 1-1) recorded a 17-5 major decision over Hunter Davenport at 149, sophomore James Strouse (15-8, 3-0) also posted an 11-1 major decision at 157 over Nick Pullano, and sophomore Chris Vondruska (8-7, 1-0) edged the CAA's second-ranked wrestler at 165 Robby Gosnell 3-1. The Pride did have one point deducted after Masa's victory at 149 to make the final 27-12.
The Pride will return to action next Saturday, February 5th when they host the 14th-ranked Big Red of Cornell University at Hofstra Arena. Match time is 1 p.m.
#11 Hofstra 27, Old Dominion 12
174: Paul Siemon (Hofstra) d. John Adams (ODU), D 6-0
184: Adam Wright (ODU) wins by forfeit
197: Joe Rovelli (Hofstra) d. Shea Smith (ODU), MD 10-1
Hwt: Chris Skretkowicz (Hofstra) d. John Dolida (ODU), F 2:05
125: Christian Staylor (ODU) d. Dave Tomasette (Hofstra), D 9-4
133: Charles Griffin (Hofstra) d. B.J. Compton (ODU), MD 14-1
141: Shanon Slack (ODU) d. John Manarte (Hofstra), D 3-2
149: Jon Masa (Hofstra) d. Hunter Davenport (ODU), MD 17-5
Hofstra: -1 Team Point
157: James Strouse (Hofstra) d. Nick Pullano (ODU), MD 11-1
165: Chris Vondruskas (Hofstra) d. Robby Gosnell (ODU), D 3-1
