Hempstead, NY – Juniors Jahlani Callender, Frank Affronti and Michael Hughes each recorded Pride victories but the Drexel Dragons won five of the first six matches on the way to a 26-9 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) victory over Hofstra at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex Sunday evening.

Drexel improved to 9-7 overall and 5-3 in the EIWA while the Pride, which dropped their third consecutive match, is 5-11 overall and 1-5 in conference play.

Starting the match at 197-pounds, Drexel sophomore Josh Murphy edged Pride freshman Omar Haddad, 3-2 on a third period takedown to open a 3-0 lead. But Hofstra junior Michael Hughes tied the match with a 7-3 decision over sophomore Joey Goodhart, Hughes improved to 32-7 overall and 6-0 in the EIWA.

But the Dragons won the next four matches including a forfeit at 133 to build an 18-3 lead after junior Matt Cimato defeated Pride sophomore Kyle Krasavage, 5-1 at 149-pounds.

Hofstra junior Jahlani Callender stopped the Drexel run with a 7-0 victory over freshman Mike Comunale at 157 pounds. Callender improved to 13-15 on the season. Drexel sophomore Austin Rose recorded a 15-0 tech fall over redshirt freshman Bobby Fehr at 165 to boost their lead to 23-6.

Pride junior Frank Affronti posted his fourth win in his last five matches with a 6-0 decision over redshirt freshman Zach Spira at 174. Affronti improved to 27-11 and 13-3 in duals with his 19th victory by decision.

But that would be Hofstra's last win as sophomore Steven Loiseau topped Pride sophomore Cory Damiana, 7-3 at 184 to close out the 26-9 victory for the Dragons.

Hofstra, which celebrated Senior Day in prematch ceremonies on the occasion of their final home match on Sunday, will return to action next weekend when they travel to Harvard on Friday, February 19 at 6 p.m. and Brown University on Saturday, February 20 at 1 p.m. Those matches will wrap up the dual match schedule as the Pride will then prepare for the EIWA Championships at Princeton on March 5-6.

Drexel 26, Hofstra 9
197            Joshua Murphy (DU) over Omar Haddad (HU) (Dec 3-2)                                                    
285            Michael Hughes (HU) over Joseph Goodhart (DU) (Dec 7-3)                                              
125            Zachary Fuentes (DU) over Bryan Damon (HU) (Dec 2-1)                                                   
133            David Pearce (DU) over Unknown (For.)                                                                            
141            Kevin Devoy (DU) over Jamel Hudson (HU) (Dec 6-3)                                                        
149            Matthew Cimato (DU) over Kyle Krasavage (HU) (Dec 5-1)                                                
157            Jahlani Callender (HU) over Michael Comunale (DU) (Dec 7-0)                                           
165            Austin Rose (DU) over Bobby Fehr (HU) (TF 15-0 3:13)                                                     
174            Frank Affronti (HU) over Zachary Spira (DU) (Dec 6-0)                                                       
184            Stephen Loiseau (DU) over Cory Damiana (HU) (Dec 7-3)