Hofstra wrestling wins EIWA opener over F&M

The Hofstra University wrestling team opened Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) action against Franklin & Marshall College on Sunday, Jan. 21. The Pride beat the Diplomats 21-16, splitting the 10 matches evenly. No. 22 Keaton Kluever’s win by technical fall and Noah Tapia’s win by major decision helped earn the Pride the conference victory. Hofstra is now 6-3 on the season and 1-0 in EIWA action.

In the first period of the 285-pound match, Kluever used a throw-by to get around his opponent, Harrison Shapiro, for a takedown. In the second period, Kluever started on the bottom, earning an escape and second takedown to enter the third period up 7-0. There, he used a throw-by to get another takedown before letting Shapiro up, giving him an escape point. Kluever didn’t let up and used a double leg to take Shapiro down on the edge of the mat. When he landed, Shapiro grabbed the edge of the mat, awarding Kluever one point for the technical violation and allowing him to win the match by technical fall 16-1.

Weighing in at 149 pounds, Tapia earned the first takedown less than halfway into the first period, working through a scramble to get to a single leg and get behind. His opponent, Josh Hillard, got on the scoreboard with an escape that was quickly followed by another takedown from Tapia. Starting the second period on bottom, Tapia got an escape and once again was on the offensive to earn another takedown. Hillard capitalized when Tapia got too high on a leg ride, working to earn a reversal. In the third period, Hillard earned an escape before Tapia took a shot, and the two got into a scramble with Tapia coming out on top to get another takedown. With less than 20 seconds left, Hillard got an escape, but with a point for riding time, Tapia won the match by major decision, 14-5.

At 157 pounds, Jurius Clark used a single leg to get a takedown and get on the board first. He was quickly met by Dominic Wheatley, who earned an escape and takedown to put himself ahead. Clark fought for an escape in the second period to tie up the score, starting the third period on top. Like Tapia earlier, Clark got to a leg ride and turned Wheatley, earning three near-fall points to win 7-4.

Jake Slotnick followed at 165 pounds in his match against Josh Palmucci. After a scoreless first period, Slotnick earned an escape and a takedown after catching Palmucci on his heels. In the third period, Palmucci earned an escape and a point for stalling on Slotnick, ending the match 5-2 in favor of Slotnick.

Freshman Will Conlon helped his team the best he could, keeping his loss to an 8-1 decision against No. 18 John Crawford at 184 pounds.

Both Hofstra’s team captains suffered unusual losses with Ross McFarland, at 174 pounds, losing to past opponent Noah Fox, 5-4, and Dylan Ryder, at 125 pounds, losing by major decision, 14-0, to No. 28 Mason Leiphart.

EIWA action continues for the Pride next week as they take on Long Island University at home in the David S. Mack Physical Education Center on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Hofstra Athletics/Rafael Suanes