Cambridge, MA – The Pride recorded victories in three of the first six matches but Harvard closed out the contest with four consecutive bonus point wins on the way to a 34-15 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association victory over Hofstra at the Malkin Athletic Center Friday evening.

The Crimson recorded two wins by fall, a forfeit victory and a major decision in their final four weight classes to record their third consecutive match win and improve to 8-4 overall and 5-3 in the EIWA. Hofstra, which dropped its fourth straight match, falls to 5-12 overall and 1-7 in conference action.

Opening the match at 157 pounds, Harvard won the first two weight classes including a tech fall at 165 to build a 8-0 lead. But Hofstra junior Frank Affronti edged Crimson sophomore Josef Johnson, 5-4 at 174 and sophomore Cory Damiana pinned senior Michael Mocco at 184 to give the Pride a 9-8 lead. Affronti, who recorded his third consecutive victory, improved to 28-11. Damiana, who posted his sixth pin of the year, improved to 14-18.

But Harvard senior Josh Popple recorded a major decision at 197 to give the Crimson a brief 12-9 lead before Hofstra senior Michael Hughes put the Pride ahead, 15-12 with a forfeit win at 285.

From that point, Harvard swept the final four matches, with wins by fall by Nolan Hellickson at 125 and Jeffrey Ott at 133, a win by forfeit at 141 and a major decision win by Patrick Hogan at 149 to wrap-up the 34-15 victory.

Hofstra will return to action on Saturday afternoon when the Pride travel to Providence, Rhode Island for an EIWA match against the Bears of Brown University. Match time at the Pizzitola Sports Center is 1 p.m.
 
Harvard 34, Hofstra 15
157 – Tyler Tarsi (Har) dec. Jahlani Callender (Hof), 4-0
165 – Devon Gabbo (Har) tech fall Cory Goshkagarian (Hof), 18-3
174 – Frank Affronti (Hof) dec. Josef Johnson (Har), 5-4
184 – Cory Damiana (Hof) WBF Michael Mocco (Har), 6:40
197 – Josh Popple (Har) maj. dec. Omar Haddad (Hof), 10-2
285 – Michael Hughes (Hof) win by forfeit
125 – Nolan Hellickson (Har) WBF Bryan Damon (Hof), 6:41
133 – Jeffrey Ott (Har) WBF Marcus Begay (Hof), 4:46
141 – Todd Preston (Har) win by forfeit
149 – Patrick Hogan (Har) maj. dec. Kyle Krasavage (Hof), 13-4