DOYLESTOWN (PA) – Zeke Pyle's pin at heavyweight and Charlie Frankel's decision at 125 pounds in the final two weight classes lifted 23rd-ranked Delaware Valley College to a 21-16, come-from-behind victory over No. 14 The College of New Jersey and snapped the Lions' 14-match winning streak.

The win was the first in eight career meetings with TCNJ for the Aggies as they improved to 7-7-1 on the season (all seven of their losses and their one tie have come against teams ranked in the top 30). Delaware Valley has two dual meets remaining on the schedule as it looks for its 41st consecutive non-losing season. The Aggies will travel to Division II schools Shippensburg University and East Stroudsburg University this Thursday and Saturday respectively.

The Lions fell to 18-2 on the year and it was their first setback since an 18-16 loss to 11th-ranked United States Merchant Marine Academy back on January 8.

TCNJ held a 16-12 lead after Mike Denver, ranked third at 184 pounds, moved up a weight class and improved his record to 30-2 with a 6-4 decision over Aaron Karns (22-4) at 197 pounds. That left the Aggies with having to win the final two weight classes to pull out the team victory.

Pyle (12-11) gave up a takedown to Kenny Amponsa (2-8) late in the first period to trail 2-0. However, the junior was able to reverse the move and pin Amponsa with 10 seconds remaining in the period (2:50) to give Delaware Valley six points and an 18-16 decision.

With everything on the line, Frankel brought his 12-10 record on the mat against Steve Godine (19-10). Frankel notched a takedown 24 seconds into the first and rode Godine the rest of the period. He picked up another takedown in the second for a 4-0 lead plus more than four minutes of riding time. Frankel then got an escape and takedown to up the lead to 7-0 before a Godine reversal with 15 seconds to go make it 7-2. Frankel picked up an escape plus the bonus point for riding time for the 9-2 decision and the win for Delaware Valley.

The match began at 133 pounds where the Lions' Dan Herr, ranked seventh in Division III, improved to 29-4 with a 9-1 major decision over Matt Ellis (6-7). However, the Aggies took the next three weight classes – all by decisions – for a 9-4 advantage. Returning All-American Matt Ulrich (16-5) began the run at 141 pounds with a 9-7 decision over Brian Bollette (6-3) while Zak Andrews (24-5) followed with an 11-4 victory over John Darling (24-10) at 149. Returning national qualifier Emmanuel Ajagbe moved up a weight class to 157 and improved to 16-8 with a 7-2 triumph over KC Murphy (11-10).

Delaware Valley moved returning All-American and 157-pound top-ranked Jesse Harrington up a weight to 165 to battle No. 8 and returning All-American Justin Bonitatis. After scoreless first, Harrington earned three seconds into the second. However, Bonitatis took Harrington (18-5) down and pinned him with 1:24 to go in the period (3:36) to regain the lead for the Lions at 10-9. It was the 31st win in 33 matches for Bonitatis this season.

TCNJ upped its lead to 13-9 as eighth-ranked Brian Boderick (26-3) used an escape and takedown in the third period to pull out a 5-3 decision over returning national qualifier Dan Daddino (1-2) at 174 pounds.

At 184 pounds, Delaware Valley's Jake Phillips started out strong and built a 5-1, second-period lead. However, Mike Kiley battled back to tie it up at 5-5 in the third. Phillips regained the lead with an escape with 53 seconds to go, but Kiley followed with a takedown with 25 ticks left for a 7-6 lead. As the clock went under 10 seconds, Phillips was able to get a reversal and he held on for his second win of the year and pulled the Aggies to within one at 13-12.

Denver rebuilt the Lion lead to four, but Pyle and Frankel's heroics gave Delaware Valley the victory.


DELAWARE VALLEY COLLEGE 21, THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY 16
133 – Dan Herr (TCNJ) by major decision over Matt Ellis, 9-1 (4-0 TCNJ)
141 – Matt Ulrich (DVC) by decision over Brian Bollette, 9-7 (4-3 TCNJ)
149 – Zak Andrews (DVC) by decision over John Darling, 11-4 (6-4 DVC)
157 – Emmanuel Ajagbe (DVC) by decision over KC Murphy, 7-2 (9-4 DVC)
165 – Justin Bonitatis (TCNJ) by fall over Jesse Harrington, 3:36 (10-9 TCNJ)
174 – Brian Boderick (TCNJ) by decision over Dan Daddino, 5-3 (13-9 TCNJ)
184 – Jake Phillips (DVC) by decision over Mike Kiley, 8-7 (13-12 TCNJ)
197 – Mike Denver (TCNJ) by decision over Aaron Karns, 6-4 (16-12 TCNJ)
285 – Zeke Pyle (DVC) by fall over Kenny Amponsa, 2:50 (18-16 DVC)
125 – Charlie Frankel (DVC) by decision over Steve Godine, 9-2 (21-16 DVC)