The Pride posted victories in six matches but Patrick Simpson's tech fall victory at 149 pounds in the final match gave the Black Knights of Army a 19-19 tie with 18th-ranked Hofstra at Christl Arena Tuesday night in the regular season opener for each team.
The Pride jumped out to a 13-4 lead after five matches as Hofstra junior James Strouse opened the season with a 4-1 decision over sophomore Brandon Benson. Army senior Jon Anderson posted a major decision victory over junior Chris Vondruska 19-7 at 165 pounds as the Black Knights took a 4-3 lead. But Hofstra won the next three matches as 9th-ranked senior Mike Patrovich (pictured) recorded a major decision over sophomore Scott Ferguson 10-1 at 174, 14th-ranked sophomore Joe Rovelli decisioned #19 senior Luke Calvert 6-1 at 184, and junior Chris Weidman decisioned junior Connor Sanders 8-3 at 197.
Army freshman Michael Sprigg upset junior Jon Andriac in a major decision 11-1 at heavyweight to close the Black Knights' deficit to 13-8. After Hofstra sophomore Dave Tomasette edged freshman William Simpson 10-7 at 125, Army junior Frank Baughan pinned Hofstra freshman Robbie Deibert at the 44 second mark of the 133-pound match to close to 16-14 in the match.
Hofstra junior John Manarte posted a 7-3 decision over senior Tony Severo to boost the Pride lead to 19-14 and set up the deciding match. In the 149-pound finale, Army senior Patrick Simpson dominated freshman Michael Martini and posted the tech fall with eight seconds remaining in the match.
The Pride will host the Beavers of Oregon State at the Hofstra Arena this Thursday, November 17 at 7 p.m.
H-A
157 - James Strouse (Hofstra) dec. Brandon Benson (Army), 4-1 (3-0)
165 - Jon Anderson (Army) maj. dec. Chris Vondruska (Hofstra), 19-7 (3-4)
174 - Mike Patrovich (Hofstra) maj. dec. Scott Ferguson (Army), 10-1 (7-4)
184 - Joe Rovelli (Hofstra) dec. Luke Calvert (Army), 6-1 (10-4)
197 - Chris Weidman (Hofstra) dec. Connor Sanders (Army), 8-3 (13-4)
Hwt - Michael Sprigg (Army) maj. dec. Jon Andriac (Hofstra) 11-1 (13-8)
125 - Dave Tomasette (Hofstra) dec. William Simpson (Army), 10-7 (16-8)
133 - Frank Baughan (Army) pinned Robbie Deibert (Hofstra) at 0:44 (16-14)
141 - John Manarte (Hofstra) dec. Tony Severo (Army), 7-3 (19-14)
149 - Patrick Simpson (Army) tech fall Michael Martini (Hofstra) at 6:52 (19-19)
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