The New York University wrestling team went 2-1, defeating Gettysburg College and Plymouth State University and falling to Elizabethtown College at its annual Family Day event on Saturday, January 14, at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.

The team's first match pitted NYU against Gettysburg College. After splitting the first two bouts of the dual, NYU won five of the final eight bouts to best their fellow Centennial Conference foes 23-13.

Both Matt DiGiovanni (141) and Dan Gorman (149) recorded major decisions in their respective matches as NYU cruised to its first victory of the day.

NYU was then matched up against a tough Elizabethtown team and came up short 26-12.

Gregg Martino (174) and David Rice (165), two of the five seniors featured on Family Day, continued strong seasons as they each picked up a victory by decision. DiGiovanni also recorded his second win of the day with his pin in the 141-pound match.

Between the second and third match, NYU honored its five seniors for their contributions to the program. Rudy De La Cruz, Martino, Steve Massey, Jamie Myers, and Rice all received plaques and a nice reception from the crowd filled with many of their family members.

NYU had little trouble handling Plymouth State in its final match as they defeated the Panthers 37-9. In what might have been the moment of the day, De La Cruz earned his first win of the season in the final home match of his career. He battled back from behind to send the match into overtime and eventually come out victorious.

“Rudy dug down deep and pulled out a big win,” remarked assistant coach Corey Luce. “He didn't give up and ended up pulling it out in the end. For that he deserves a lot of credit.”

Luce was please with the team's overall performance.

"Overall, we wrestled well today. Almost all of our guys wrestled up to their potential and it showed,"Luce explained. "A bunch of guys had multiple victories. If we continue improving on our areas of weakness we should be real tough to beat down the road.”

Martino had a big day as he recorded a three wins, two of which came in the last 15 seconds of the bout.

NYU's grapplers improved their record to 4-5 as they enter the heart of their schedule.

The squad returns to action this Wednesday, Jan. 18, when they travel to King's Point, NY, to face the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

NYU 23, Gettysburg 13
125: Janik Santana-Quintana (N) dec. Josh Scharf (G) 9-5 3-0
133: Matt Spano (G) dec. Adlee Fayyaz (N) 5-4 3-3
141: Matt DiGiovanni (N) maj dec. Tony Stanell (G)12-3 7-3
149: Dan Gorman (N) maj dec. Pat Thomas (G) 12-4 11-3
157: Sam Friedfeld (N) forfeit 17-3
165: Zach Thomson (G) dec. David Rice (N) 8-4 17-6
174: Gregg Martino (N) dec. Jared Leon (G) 5-3 20-6
184: Jake Pawlowski (N) dec Michael Sheehan (G) 10-4 23-6
197: Marshall Puls (G) dec Dan Brereton (N) 8-4 23-9
285: Kevin Poplaski (G) maj dec. Rudy De La Cruz (N) 23-13

Elizabethtown 26, NYU 12
125: William Bentley (E) dec Janik Santana-Quintana (N) 13-8 3-0
133: Nick Grimm (E) maj dec Adlee Fayyaz (N) 14-3 7-0
141: Matt DiGiovanni (N) pin Kevin Aspril (E) 3:34 7-6
149: Tye Boyer (E) pin Dan Gorman (N) 1:37 13-6
157: Zach Sheridan (E) maj dec Sam Friedfeld (N) 12-3 17-6
165: David Rice (N) dec Quint Eno (E) 11-7 17-9
174: Gregg Martino (N) dec Julian Meaney (E) 4-3 17-12
184: Dylan Carmichael (E) dec Jake Pawlowski (N) 6-4 20-12
197: Kyle Deeds (E) dec Dan Brereton (N) 5-4 23-12
285: Jeremy Rieth (E) dec Rudy De La Cruz (N) 26-12

NYU 37, Plymouth 9
125: Janik Santana-Quintana (N) forfeit 6-0
133: Adlee Fayyaz (N) pin Alex Cronin (P) 2:55 12-0
141: Matt DiGiovanni (N) forfeit 18-0
149: Mike Willey (P) dec Dan Gorman (N) 12-6 18-3
157: Sam Friedfeld (N) pin Kyle Graham (P) 4:28 24-3
165: David Rice (N) maj dec Femi Wheeler (P) 8-0 28-3
174: Gregg Martino (N) dec Daniel Curley (P) 4-2 31-3
184: Jake Pawlowski (N) dec Rob Phillips (P) 3-1 34-3
197: Zac Giovannetti (P) pin Michael Roberson (N) 0:28 34-9
285: Rudy De La Cruz (N) dec Daniel Trefry (P) 3-1 OT 37-9