Drexel University Athletics

Photo by: Ryan Samson
Wrestling Takes Down Hofstra, 26-15, on Spirit Night on Friday
2/13/2015 8:47:00 PM | Wrestling
PHILADELPHIA – In front of a raucous Spirit Night crowd of students and alumni, Drexel Wrestling took down Hofstra by a score of 26-15 on Friday night at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.
The win moves the Dragons to 8-10 overall on the season and 5-1 in EIWA competition. Hofstra falls to 5-11 overall and 3-6 in the EIWA.
After beginning with the heavyweights, the Dragons were able to tie the match up early on at three-all as Zack Fuentes used a second period escape to cruise to victory. Next up at 133 pounds, No. 16 Kevin Devoy Jr. got the Spirit Night crowd rocking, pinning Hofstra's Travis Passaro 1:26 in the first period.
After Hofstra took a forfeit at 141 pounds to put the Dragons up 15-3 overall in the match, Matt Cimato scored two late points on an escape over No. 16 Cody Ruggirello, although it was not enough as he dropped a 7-2 decision.
Noel Blanco got the Dragons and the crowd re-energized after halftime, taking the technical fall in his 157 pound match Cory Goshkagarian in commanding style, 18-2. With the Dragons up 20-6 in the match, Nick Elmer took to the mat at 165 pounds. In a close match with the Pride's Nick Terdick, the freshman used a third period takedown to seize the 5-4 victory and put Drexel up 23-6 in the match.
With the match all but won and in cruise control, the Dragons dropped a decision at 174 pounds. At 184, Jason Fugiel used rolled his way to a second period escape to tie the match four-all, but was caught in overtime and loss by fall to Jermaine John. In the final match of the night at 197 pounds, Brandon Litten sent the Dragons and the Spirit Night crowd out in style, using a takedown with just over a minute left to take the match, 3-2.
Prior to the match, Drexel Wrestling held a ceremony to dedicate the team's locker room to former 35-year head coach Jack Childs. At halftime of the match, Drexel Wrestling honored the 1984-85 East Coast Conference champion team on the 30th anniversary of the title.
The Dragons return to the mat on Sunday, Feb. 15 as they travel to Ithaca, New York for the National Duals where they will take on Cornell.
Drexel 26, Hofstra 15
285: Mike Hughes (HU) DEC Joey Goodhart (DU) 7-3
125: Zack Fuentes (DU) DEC Bryan Damon (HU) 2-0
133: Kevin Devoy Jr. (DU) WBF Travis Passaro (HU) 1:26
141: David Pearce (DU) win by forfeit
149: No. 16 Cody Ruggirello (HU) DEC Matt Cimato (DU) 7-2
157: Noel Blanco (DU) TF Cory Goshkagarian (HU) 18-2
165: Nick Elmer (DU) DEC Nick Terdick (HU) 5-4
174: Frank Affronti (HU) DEC Stephen Loiseau (DU) 2-0
184: Jermaine John (HU) WBF Jason Fugiel (DU) 7:36
197: Brandon Litten (DU) DEF Michael Oxley (HU) 3-2
The win moves the Dragons to 8-10 overall on the season and 5-1 in EIWA competition. Hofstra falls to 5-11 overall and 3-6 in the EIWA.
After beginning with the heavyweights, the Dragons were able to tie the match up early on at three-all as Zack Fuentes used a second period escape to cruise to victory. Next up at 133 pounds, No. 16 Kevin Devoy Jr. got the Spirit Night crowd rocking, pinning Hofstra's Travis Passaro 1:26 in the first period.
After Hofstra took a forfeit at 141 pounds to put the Dragons up 15-3 overall in the match, Matt Cimato scored two late points on an escape over No. 16 Cody Ruggirello, although it was not enough as he dropped a 7-2 decision.
Noel Blanco got the Dragons and the crowd re-energized after halftime, taking the technical fall in his 157 pound match Cory Goshkagarian in commanding style, 18-2. With the Dragons up 20-6 in the match, Nick Elmer took to the mat at 165 pounds. In a close match with the Pride's Nick Terdick, the freshman used a third period takedown to seize the 5-4 victory and put Drexel up 23-6 in the match.
With the match all but won and in cruise control, the Dragons dropped a decision at 174 pounds. At 184, Jason Fugiel used rolled his way to a second period escape to tie the match four-all, but was caught in overtime and loss by fall to Jermaine John. In the final match of the night at 197 pounds, Brandon Litten sent the Dragons and the Spirit Night crowd out in style, using a takedown with just over a minute left to take the match, 3-2.
Prior to the match, Drexel Wrestling held a ceremony to dedicate the team's locker room to former 35-year head coach Jack Childs. At halftime of the match, Drexel Wrestling honored the 1984-85 East Coast Conference champion team on the 30th anniversary of the title.
The Dragons return to the mat on Sunday, Feb. 15 as they travel to Ithaca, New York for the National Duals where they will take on Cornell.
Drexel 26, Hofstra 15
285: Mike Hughes (HU) DEC Joey Goodhart (DU) 7-3
125: Zack Fuentes (DU) DEC Bryan Damon (HU) 2-0
133: Kevin Devoy Jr. (DU) WBF Travis Passaro (HU) 1:26
141: David Pearce (DU) win by forfeit
149: No. 16 Cody Ruggirello (HU) DEC Matt Cimato (DU) 7-2
157: Noel Blanco (DU) TF Cory Goshkagarian (HU) 18-2
165: Nick Elmer (DU) DEC Nick Terdick (HU) 5-4
174: Frank Affronti (HU) DEC Stephen Loiseau (DU) 2-0
184: Jermaine John (HU) WBF Jason Fugiel (DU) 7:36
197: Brandon Litten (DU) DEF Michael Oxley (HU) 3-2
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