Hempstead, NY – Senior Nezar Haddad recorded the lone Pride victory as the 23^rd-ranked Scarlet Knights of Rutgers spoiled Hofstra's home opener with a 40-3 victory over the Pride at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex Friday night.

Hofstra, which was making its 2018-19 dual match debut, falls to 0-1 on the season. Rutgers improved to 5-1 on the young season.

After a tough 5-3 loss by Hofstra freshman and local product Dylan Ryder to Shane Metzler at 125, Rutgers recorded three wins by fall and a forfeit win at 157 over the ensuing six matches at 157 to build a 33-0 lead after Joe Grello's pin of Sage Heller at 174. The Scarlet Knights added a major decision at 184 to boost their lead to 37-0.

Hofstra got on the board at 197 as senior Nezar Haddad recorded two first period takedowns and held on for a 6-4 victory. Haddad, who suffered a facial injury on November 9 in practice and did not practice all week, improved to 3-2 on the season. Rutgers wrapped up the match with a 3-1 victory at 285.

Hofstra will send select wrestlers to the Army West Point Black Knight Invitational on Sunday, November 18. The tournament begins at 9 a.m. After the Black Knight Invitational, Hofstra will be free from competition until November 30 and December 1 at the Cliff Keen-Las Vegas Invitational.

Notes
- Hofstra fell to the Scarlet Knights for the fourth consecutive encounter as Rutgers leads the all-time series, 15-9-1.
- The Pride had their streak of 14 consecutive dual matches with a victory by fall snapped by the Scarlet Knights.
- Hofstra lost the takedown battle, 16-6 but had 10 escapes to the Scarlet Knights' eight.

#23 RUTGERS 40, HOFSTRA 3
125: Shane Metzler (RUTG) over Dylan Ryder (HOFS) (Dec 5-3)
133: Nick Suriano (RUTG) over Trent Olson (HOFS) (Fall 2:11)
141: Pete Lipari (RUTG) over Garrett Lambert (HOFS) (Dec 6-2)
149: Anthony Ashnault (RUTG) over Ryan Burkert (HOFS) (Fall 3:59)
157: John Vanschenkbrill (RUTG) over (HOFS) (For.)
165: Stephan Glasgow (RUTG) over Ricky Stamm (HOFS) (Dec 5-3)
174: Joe Grello (RUTG) over Sage Heller (HOFS) (Fall 1:03)
184: Willie Scott (RUTG) over Trey Rogers (HOFS) (MD 13-4)
197: Nezar Haddad (HOFS) over Max Wright (RUTG) (Dec 6-4)
285: Christian Colucci (RUTG) over Omar Haddad (HOFS) (Dec 3-1)