HACKETTSTOWN (Nj.) – The Delaware Valley University men's wrestling team traveled to Centenary University in search of its third dual victory in 12 days, but came home on the wrong end of a 25-21 decision.
The Aggies fell to 4-3 in dual matches while the Cyclones improved to 5-2.
DelVal took an early 6-0 lead after a Centenary forfeit at 125 pounds, but dropped the next three bouts. Rashad Stratton surrendered an early third period pin to Jacy Jones at 133 and Russell Benson and Mike Rubino each dropped decisions in the next to matches.
The Aggies trailed, 12-6, going into the 157-pound bout where first-year Greg Croce battled Adrian Pietri to a 5-2 win by decision to get back three points. Fellow first-year Adam Coleman followed with a first period pin of TJ Pawlicki at 165 pounds to put DelVal back in front, 15-12. Coleman needed just 1:09 to earn his fourth win by fall this year.
The Cyclones sealed the match victory with wins at the next three weight classes. Haakon Mathewson defeated Cooper Kidd by 17-6 major decision at 174, Justin Hopman pinned Chris Richardson with just 15 seconds left in the 184-pound bout, and Keevon Berry earned a 7-4 decision over Isaiah Johnson. The three victories put the home team on top, 25-15, going into the final match of the night.
Sophomore Daniel Eckley got back to his winning ways with a win by fall over Matt Angelov in just 1:14. The fall was Eckley's team-leading 14th of the season and concluded the 25-21 final.
The Aggies will return to action with a road dual against Middle Atlantic Conference foe Alvernia University on Friday, February 11 at 7 p.m.
Centenary 25, Delaware Valley 21
125: Ryan Kelly (DVU) wins by forfeit; 6-0 DVU
133: Jacy Jones (CENT) wins by fall over Rashad Stratton (DVU) in 5:47; 6-6
141: Xavier Pena (CENT) wins by decision over Russell Benson (DVU) 5-2; 9-6 CENT
149: Cameron Bruffy (CENT) wins by decision over Mike Rubino (DVU) 7-1; 12-6 CENT
157: Greg Croce (DVU) wins by decision over Adrian Pietri (CENT) 5-2; 12-9 CENT
165: Adam Coleman (DVU) wins by fall over TJ Pawlicki (CENT) in 1:09; 15-12 DVU
174: Haakon Mathewson (CENT) wins by major decision over Cooper Kid (DVU) 17-6; 16-15 CENT
184: Justin Hopman (CENT) wins by fall over Christopher Richardson (DVU) in 6:45; 22-15 CENT
197: Keevon Berry (CENT) wins by decision over Isaiah Johnson (DVU) 7-4; 25-15 CENT
285: Daniel Eckley (DVU) wins by fall over Matt Angelov (CENT) in 1:14; 25-21 CENT
