Drexel Defeats Rider, 20-16

Saturday, February 3

Philadelphia, Pa.

2:00pm

Drexel University

Rider

2/3/2024 4:41:00 PM | Wrestling

PHILADELPHIA - Ethan Wilson and Ibrahim Ameer stun Rider with falls in the upper weights to lead Drexel to a 20-16 victory over the Broncs, on Saturday afternoon at the DAC. Additionally, Cody Walsh, Jordan Soriano, and John Hildebrandt earned wins in their respective weight classes.

The match started at 149 lbs as Dom Findora battled against #29 Quinn Kinner. Kinner earned a takedown in the first period to take the lead. After a scoreless second frame, the Bronc was able to escape and Findora took him down to bring the match within a point. The Dragon was unable to score in short time and fell, 5-3. At 157lbs, Tyler Williams was down 2-1 with two minutes left. The fifth-year senior escaped from the bottom and tied the match. #28 Washleksi scored on a takedown 30 seconds into the third frame and Williams was unable to come back. Rider claimed a 6-2 decision. In the next bout, Cody Walsh picked up an escape point in the second period which was all the offense he needed as he held on to win Drexel's first match, 1-0.

Following the media break, Jack Janda competed against Michael Wilson. Neither wrestler compiled any points until the second period as Janda chose bottom and escaped. Wilson started the final two minutes with an escape point of his own. The match was tied at one with less than a minute of regulation. Wilson took down Janda in sudden victory for the 4-1 decision. Rider took a 9-3 advantage after four matches. At 184lbs, Ethan Wilson made his college dual debut. The bout was scoreless headed into the middle period. Rider chose bottom to start the period and Wilson was able to accrue riding time. The redshirt-freshmen caught Dean on his back and won by fall in 3:44. Following an unsportsmanlike conduct call on Drexel, Rider held a one-point lead at the halfway mark.

Ibrahim Ameer looked to keep the momentum in favor of the Dragons at 197lbs. DU was down 1-0 at the start of the second period. After a handful of resets, Ameer was close to an escape but instead captured a defensive fall over Azeem Bell. Drexel captured its first lead of the day, 14-9, with back-to-back pins. Rider stopped the Dragons' run with a victory by a major decision at 285.

Desmond Pleasant kept Tyler Klinsky on his heels but the Broncs claimed a 7-3 decision at 125lbs. In the second to last bout, John Hildebrandt matched up against the previous national qualifier for RU, Richie Koehler. Hildebrandt took down Koehler in the third period and collected two back points to put DU back in front, 17-16. Jordan Soriano took the mat for the Dragons with the dual on the line. The sophomore performed in a high-pressure situation as he escaped from the bottom in the second period and earned a riding time point for a 2-0 decision win.

Mert '67 and Joanne '69 Hill Head Coach of Wrestling, Matt Azevedo, on the Dragons' victory:
"This win embodied our core value of Bring the HEAT; heart, effort, attitude, team. We had some guys step up and that's what you need to do. Ethan Wilson earned us a huge fall at 184lbs by competing up a weight class. John Hildebrandt beat a previous national qualifier, Jordan Soriano was able to ride out the third period to clinch the victory and Ibrahim Ameer captured a huge pin at 197lbs. "

149 | #29 Quinn Kinner (Rider) def. Dom Findora, Dec. 5-3; Rider 3-0
157 | #28 Colton Washleski (Rider) def. Tyler Williams, Dec. 6-2; Rider 6-0
165 | Cody Walsh def. Jake Silverstein (Rider), Dec. 1-0; Rider 6-3
174 | Michael Wilson (Rider) def. Jack Janda, SV 4-1; Rider 9-3
184 | Ethan Wilson def. Isaac Dean (Rider), Fall 3:44; Rider 9-8*
197 | Ibrahim Ameer def. Azeem Bell (Rider), Fall 4:56; Drexel 14-9
285 | #29 David Szuba (Rider) def. Santino Morina, MD 18-4; Drexel 14-13
125 | Tyler Klinsky (Rider) def. Desmond Pleasant, Dec. 7-3; Rider 16-14
133 | John Hildebrandt def. Richie Koehler (Rider(, Dec. 5-2; Drexel 17-16
141 | Jordan Soriano def. Will Betancourt (Rider), Dec. 2-0; Drexel wins 20-16
*One Team Point Deducted for Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Up Next
The Dragons travel to Washington, D.C. for a tri-match tomorrow, February 4, against American and Morgan State. Drexel takes on the Bears in the inaugural matchup between the teams at 11 a.m. and then competes against the Eagles at 1 p.m.