Springfield, MA --- Charlie Pavis (Bethlehem, PA), Joseph Tully (Carver, MA) and Trevor Bowen (Frenchtown, NJ) all posted bonus-point victories, but the Engineers fell short Friday evening, dropping a 28-17 road decision to Western New England in a matchup of New England Wrestling Association foes.
The Golden Bears improve to 10-4 on the season, while WPI sees its record even at 8-8 overall.
The Engineers opened the match with a strong start at 125 pounds as Pavis recorded a 16-0 technical fall in 3:25 to give WPI an early 5-0 advantage. The senior, ranked fourth in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) NCAA Division III Region I rankings, is now 21-8 overall and 13-3 in duals. It was Pavis' ninth bonus-point victory of the season.
Western New England responded with victories in the next six weight classes to take control of the dual. Eighth-ranked
Antonio Intintoli (Wellesley, MA) evened the score with a technical fall at 133 before
Austin Monteiro (East Longmeadow, MA) and
James Linder (Agawam, MA) added a major decision and a decision at 141 and 149, respectively.
No. 6
Matthew Rodriguez (Wethersfield, CT) secured a 12-9 sudden-victory decision at 157, and sixth-ranked
Teghan McConnell (South Windsor, CT) followed with an injury default at 165. No. 5
Max Bluhm (Bloomfield, CT) capped the stretch with a major decision at 174 to extend the Golden Bears' lead to 25-5.
WPI answered at 184 when fourth-ranked Tully delivered a pin over the class' eighth-ranked grappler in 5:47. Tully improves to 17-7 overall with a team-best 13 falls on the season.
After Western New England's
Charlie Maloy (Simsbury, CT) picked up an 8-2 decision in a matchup of regionally ranked wrestlers at 197 pounds, heavyweight Bowen closed the evening with a fall in 4:46. Bowen is now 13-14 overall with six pins on the year.
The Engineers return to the mat tomorrow afternoon, closing out their dual-meet slate against Springfield. The annual Senior Day celebration will take place under the spotlight inside Harrington Auditorium, with action beginning at 1pm on Saturday.
Results
