Junior John Manarte's 4-3 decision at 141 pounds gave the lead back to the Pride and Jon Masa and James Strouse sealed the match with decisions as 21st-ranked Hofstra (11-8-1, 6-0) downed Rider (12-7-1, 7-1-1) in a Colonial Athletic Association match at Alumni Gymnasium Monday night. The victory improves Hofstra's conference dual match undefeated streak to 47 (46-0-1) dating back to a 1999 loss to Rider.
Starting the match at 165 pound, the Pride opened up a 10-0 lead on a 13-4 major decision by junior Chris Vondruska (20-9) over Chris Marold, a 10-4 decision by senior Mike Patrovich (26-3) over Doug Umbehauer at 174, and an 8-3 win by sophomore Joe Rovelli (24-9) over Joe Maroney at 184.
Sophomore T.J. Morrison, the second-ranked CAA wrestler at 197, put the Broncs on the board with an 8-6 decision over Hofstra junior Chris Weidman (15-8). But Pride junior Jon Andriac (22-12) boosted the Hofstra lead to 13-3 with a 7-1 decision over Nick Ciufo at heavyweight. But the Pride forfeited both the 125 and 133 pound weight classes that put Rider ahead in the match 15-13.
But Manarte (14-5), who was filling in for injured sophomore Charles Griffin, posted a 4-3 victory over sophomore Mike Palma at 141 pounds to give the Pride a 16-15 lead. Senior Jon Masa (27-7), ranked sixth this week, was taken to overtime by freshman Michael Kessler before pulling out a 10-8 decision in overtime. Junior James Strouse (25-10) wrapped up the victory for the Pride with a 6-0 victory over Ryan Cunningham at 157.
Hofstra returns to action on March 3-4 for the CAA Wrestling Championships at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
#21 Hofstra 22, Rider 15
165 - Chris Vondruska (HU) maj. dec. Chris Marold (RU) 13-4 4-0
174 - Matt Patrovich (HU) dec. Doug Umbehauer (RU) 10-4 7-0
184 - Joe Rovelli (HU) dec. Joe Maroney (RU) 8-3 10-0
197 - T.J. Morrison (RU) dec. Chris Weidman (HU) 8-6 10-3
285 - Jon Andriac (HU) dec. Nick Ciufo (RU) 7-1 13-3
125 - Ryan Smith (RU) win by forfeit 13-9
133 - Zach Cunliffe (RU) win by forfeit 13-15
141 - John Manarte (HU) dec. Mike Palma (RU) 4-3 16-15
149 - Jon Masa (HU) dec. Mike Kessler (RU) 10-8 ot 19-15
157 - James Strouse (HU) dec. Ryan Cunningham (RU) 6-0 22-15
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