The New York University wrestling team dropped a dual match to host Stevens Institute of Technology 26-14 on Friday evening, January 27, in Hoboken, NJ.
NYU, ranked #14 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) poll, is now 12-4 on the season while the sixth-ranked Ducks remain undefeated through 17 matches.
"We came out very flat," said Senior Assistant Coach
Corey Luce. "You can't do that against such a tough opponent. We were in position to win a few bouts and we let them slip away"
Stevens Tech built a 20-0 lead by winning the first six bouts of the match before NYU bounced back with three wins in the final four bouts.
Blaise Benderoth (174 pounds),
John Messinger (184 pounds) and
Santino Pelusi (285 pounds) all earned wins for the squad.
"Getting Blaise back in the lineup is big for us," added Luce. "John bumped up a weight and got us a big win, while Santino continues to impress."
NYU returns to action Sunday when it travels to Providence, RI, for the USC Wildcat Open, hosted by Johnson & Wales University. Wrestling is set to begin at 9:30am.
COMPLETE RESULTS:
125: Murray (STE) major 17-6 Donato (NYU); Stevens leads 4-0
133: Stanich (STE) Fall (2:56) Pike (NYU); Stevens leads 10-0
141: Van Sickell (STE) dec. 14-11 Lyons (NYU); Stevens leads 13-0
149: Wilhelm (STE) major 12-1 Coppola (NYU); Stevens leads 17-0
157: Poklikuha (STE) dec. 8-1 Jazikoff (NYU); Stevens leads 20-0
165: Navickas (STE) dec. 8-7 Schwartzapfel (NYU); Stevens leads 23-0
174: Benderoth (NYU) TF 19-3 Smith (STE); Stevens leads 23-5
184: Messinger (NYU) inj. Moore (STE); Stevens leads 23-11
197: Kowal (STE) dec. 4-2 La Corte (NYU); Stevens leads 26-11
285: Pelusi (NYU) dec. 10-4 Andrich (STE); Stevens leads 26-14
