The win improves the Scarlet Knights record to 19-4-1. The 19 victories is the second most in school history. RU set a school record with 20 wins last season. Rutgers owns a 14-0-1 record in 2010 and has not lost a dual match since being edged at then-No. 24 Pittsburgh, 21-18, on Dec. 12, 2009.
Rutgers captured eight matches from Drexel (11-14), including two technical falls, a major decision and a pin. The Dragons still lead the all-time series by a 11-10 mark.
Prior to the match, four Rutgers seniors – Lamar Brown (Red Bank, N.J.), Jack Barrett (Metuchen, N.J.), Kellen Bradley (Newton, N.J.) and Matthew Rigoglisio (Wayne, N.J.) – were honored as it was their final home match as a Scarlet Knight.
“For us, the match was perfect,” said Rutgers head coach Scott Goodale. “It gave us a chance to get the seniors out there. I was proud of our guys because they took care of their individual matchups to make sure the seniors got in. It was a special night.”
During the senior presentation, Barrett got the biggest ovation of the night when he walked to the center of the mat with his family for his senior day picture. The Metuchen, N.J. native won 10 of 16 matches in the fall but was forced to sit out the spring semester due to a medical issue.
“Jack may not know it but he brought this team together,” commented Goodale. “He inspired not only our staff but these wrestlers as well. It was great to have him on the bench with us.”
Thursday night’s battle started at 174 where 28th-ranked redshirt freshman Daniel Rinaldi (Lodi, N.J.) breezed by Rob Brooks with a 12-3 major decision to give RU the early 4-0 lead. The major decision is Rinaldi’s ninth of the season and improves his overall record to 25-7, including a 17-5 mark in dual.
At 184, redshirt freshman Jesse Boyden (Kenilworth, N.J.) increased RU’s advantage to 7-0 with a 3-1 victory over Justin Wieller. The win improves Boyden’s overall record to 10-12 and 6-8 in dual competition this season.
Brown finished his five-year run at The Barn on a high note with a 3-1 victory over Shawn Fausey. Brown owns a 21-6 record this season and has claimed a victory in 14 of 19 dual battles.
10th-ranked heavyweight Dominick Russo (Netcong, N.J.) got the night off as Drexel’s Kyle Frey was forced to forfeit due to injury. The forfeit ballooned Rutgers lead to 16-0.
21st-ranked and 125-pound Joseph Langel (Howell, N.J.) refuses to lose in 2010 as he dominated Michael Gomez by a 10-3 technical fall (4:53) to increase his win streak to an outstanding 17 matches.
Drexel finally got on the scoreboard at 133 to trim Rutgers’ lead to 21-3.
24th-ranked 141-pounder Trevor Melde (Hewitt, N.J.) earned his fifth pin fall victory of the season by taking down Shane Fenningham with a 2:37 time. The pin puts Melde’s record in 2010 at 24-6 overall and 18-3 in dual.
Bradley exited College Ave Gym a winner by claiming a 4-2 decision over Brett McCurdy to increases RU’s lead to 30-3.
23rd-ranked 157-pounder Daryl Cocozzo (River Edge, N.J.) increased his winning streak to 10 matches by overpowering Charles Aungst with an 18-2 technical fall (5:00). The RU newcomer has won 23 of his 30 matches this season, including 11 of his 12 dual contests.
Drexel picked up a decision in the last match at 165 to put the final score as a Rutgers 35-6 victory.
Rutgers will close out the regular season at No. 7 Lehigh on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Results:
174 #28 Daniel Rinaldi (Rutgers) major. dec. Rob Brooks (Drexel) 12-3 4-0
184 Jesse Boyden (Rutgers) dec. Justin Wieller (Drexel) 3-1 (OT) 7-0
197 #20 Lamar Brown (Rutgers) dec. Shawn Fausey (Drexel) 3-1 10-0
285 #10 Dominick Russo (Rutgers) WBFF 16-0
125 #21 Joseph Langel III (Rutgers) tech. fall Michael Gomez (Drexel) 19-3 (4:53) 21-0
133 #13 Steve Mytych (Drexel) dec. #20 Bill Ashnault (Rutgers) 6-3 21-3
141 #24 Trevor Melde (Rutgers) pins Shane Fenningham (Drexel) 2:37 27-3
149 Kellen Bradley (Rutgers) dec. Brett McCurdy (Drexel) 4-2 30-3
157 Daryl Cocozzo (Rutgers) tech. fall Charles Aungst (Drexel) 18-2 (5:00) 35-3
165 Alex Rinaldi (Drexel) dec. Matthew Rigoglioso (Rutgers) 11-9 (OT) 35-6
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