Rutgers was able to get out to an early 6-0 lead behind a pair of key wins at 125 and 133-pounds. In the 125-pound bout, Joe Langel (Howell, N.J.) used a second period reversal and near fall to score four points that proved to be the difference in his 7-4 decision over Nick Arujau.
Mike DeMarco (Lyndhurst, N.J.) kept the RU momentum going for RU at 133-pounds with a 7-5 decision over Kevin Tao. After a back and forth first period that ended tied at 3-3, DeMarco chose down to begin the third and quickly earned an escape and takedown to 6-3 lead. Tao managed an escape in both the second and third periods, but it wasn’t enough as DeMarco used 1:36 of riding time to secure the 7-5 victory.
After American took decisions at 141, 149, 157-pounds to take its first lead of the match at 9-6, Scott Winston (Jackson, N.J.) quickly got RU back to level with a 4-1 decision over Patrick Graham.
The Winston victory seemed to give the Scarlet Knights a spark heading into the 174-pound match between Alex Caruso (Green Brook, N.J.) and Tanner Shaffer. Caruso was in control from the get go taking a 6-2 lead after the first. The redshirt senior was able to push his lead to 11-3 after the second and eventually secured a 14-5 victory by major decision to give RU a crucial bonus point.
At 184-pounds, Dan Rinaldi (Lodi, N.J.) sent the College Ave. Gym crowd into a frenzy as he recorded a pin fall on Thomas Barreiro at the 2:53 mark of the first period to push the Scarlet Knights’ lead to a commanding 10 points at 19-9.
After Mike Wagner (South Plainfield, N.J.) was able to hold No. 18 Daniel Mitchell to a victory by decision, the match was out of reach for the Eagles (19-12 with one match remaining) as they could not gain enough points to tie Rutgers. Despite the inevitable RU victory, American was able to send RU out on a sour note with a victory at heavyweight to close the match with a score of Rutgers 19 and American 15.
The Scarlet Knights return to action on Thursday, Feb. 17, when they welcome EIWA rival Leigh to the Louis Brown Athletic Center for a 7 p.m. dual. The dual, which is the last RU home dual of the season, will serve as senior night for the Scarlet Knights.
Tickets are on sale now for the Lehigh dual. To purchase tickets please visit http://tickets.scarletknights.com or call 866-445-GoRU (4678).
Results:
125: Joe Langel (RU) dec. Nick Arujau (AU), 7-4; Rutgers leads, 3-0
133: Mike DeMarco (RU) dec. Kevin Tao (AU), 7-5; Rutgers leads, 6-0
141: No. 14 Matt Mariacher (AU) dec. Trevor Melde (RU), 3-1; Rutgers leads, 6-3
149: No. 10 Ganbayar Sanjaa (AU) dec. No. 4 Mario Mason (RU), 2-0; Match tied, 6-6
157: No. 1 Steve Fittery (AU) dec. No. 15 Daryl Cocozzo (RU), 6-3; AU leads, 9-6
165: No. 6 Scott Winston (RU) dec. Patrick Graham (AU), 4-1; Match tied, 9-9
174: No. 20 Alex Caruso (RU) m. dec. Tanner Shaffer (AU), 14-5; Rutgers leads, 13-9
184: Dan Rinaldi (RU) pins Thomas Barreiro (AU), 2:53; Rutgers leads, 19-9
197: No. 18 Daniel Mitchell (AU) dec. Mike Wagner (RU), 6-1; Rutgers leads, 19-12
285: No. 5 Ryan Flores (AU) dec. No. 3 DJ Russo (RU), 9-2; Rutgers wins, 19-15
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