Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra University wrestling team opens its 2026-27 season Saturday, October 31 when it hosts Sacred Heart in an EIWA match at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. Match time is set for 2 p.m. and will be streamed live on FloCollege and the Hofstra Pride YouTube Channel. 

Fans are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes to the match. Those in costume, will receive a raffle ticket for the chance to win Hofstra wrestling apparel. 

Hofstra is coming off a 3-15 season in 2025-26 and returns 17 wrestlers, including two EIWA placewinners (Gauge Shipp and Will Conlon) and six who won at least 12 matches last season - Shipp (24), Conlon (19), Jake Slotnick (18), Frank Volpe (16), Teague Strobel (13), and Matthew Waddell (12). Noah Tapia, who redshirted last season, also returns after winning 40 matches during his first two seasons of competition.

Sacred Heart was 3-9 last season. Hofstra owns a 16-0 mark all-time against the Pioneers and picked up a 21-15 win last November 13 in Fairfield.

Hofstra's probable lineup for the dual match is:

125 - Teague Strobel
133 - Gauge Shipp
141 - Jackson Slotnick or Laudan Henry
149 - Noah Tapia
157 - Zach Reilley 
165 - Jake Slotnick or Chase Hontz
174 - Frank Volpe or Matthew Waddell
184 - Josh Jorgge or Jaden Simpson
197 - Will Conlon 
285 - Danny Church

Following the dual, Hofstra will return to action next weekend in Bethlehem Pennsylvania with the Journeymen Wranglemania on Saturday and the Journeymen Collegiate Classic on Sunday. The Pride will face Appalachian State and Illinois at Wranglemania at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively. Sunday's action gets underway at 9 a.m.