JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Holding a 20-0 lead, the East Stroudsburg University women's wrestling team held on to defeat NJCU, 28-14, in the first-ever collegiate women's wrestling meet in New Jersey on Sunday afternoon at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.
The Warriors improve to 5-2 with the victory and avenged its loss to NJCU earlier this season with the win. NJCU falls to 1-5 on the season. Both teams were receiving votes in the latest NWCA NCAA Coaches Poll.
After ESU built the 20-0 advantage, the Gothic Knights stormed back with 13 unanswered points to cut the deficit to just seven at 20-13 with two matches remaining. Garden State native Emily Klein defeated Victoria Devoto with a pin in 42 seconds to secure the win, while No. 7 Mia Macaluso closed the match strong for the Warriors with an 11-4 decision win over undefeated No. 5 Naomi Henry.
ESU's three members that wrestled that hail from New Jersey went undefeated (Avery Meyers, Bri Simsic and Emily Klein) to help secure the historic first victory in their home state.
Notables
- No. 7 Macaluso improved to 2-0 on the season, with both victories coming against nationally ranked competition in Gannon's Anya Knappenberger and No. 5 Naiomi Henry. Macaluso jumped into the national rankings with the win over Knappenberger, and will likely take a jump up with the impressive decision victory over Henry, who was previously undefeated at 9-0.
- The Warriors used a forfeit at 136 and three consecutive pins by New Jersey native Avery Meyers (143, 0:55), Avia Bibeau (155, 1:56) and another Garden State native in Bri Simsic (170, 1:23) to build the early 20-0 lead.
- Following a tech fall loss at 191, a no contest at 101 and a forfeit loss at 109, the Gothic Knights cut the deficit to 20-9. Another tech fall victory for NJCU put the match within arm's length at 20-13 with just two matches left at 123 and 130.
- NJ native Klein, a product of Paramus, sealed the win for the Warriors with a pin in 42 seconds over Devoto.
- The nationally-ranked bout at 130 between #7 Macaluso and #5 Henry did not disappoint in the final match of the day. In the first period, Macaluso used a pair of takes downs to grab a 4-0 lead early. Henry used an escape and takedown to slice the deficit to 4-3 as the period wound down. In the final minute, Macaluso used a take down with 45 seconds and an escape with 21 seconds remaining to build a 8-3 advantage after the first period. The USA Junior National Champion added a take down near the end of the second period, while Henry added an escape point late to close the match at 11-4 in favor of Macaluso.
How it Happened
#RV ESU 28, #RV NJCU 14
- 136 – Cameron Nunez (E) wins by forfeit 5-0 ESU
- 143 – Avery Meyers (E) def. Lockslea Mayers (N), pin (0:55) 10-0 ESU
- 155 – Avia Bibeau (E) def. Patience Hevi (N), pin (1:56) 15-0 ESU
- 170 – Bri Simsic (E) def. Evie Tahmazian (N), pin (1:23) 20-0 ESU
- 191 – #7 Sandy Guerrero (N) def. Shola Cascen (E), 10-0 TF (3:25) 20-4 ESU
- 101 – No Contest 20-4 ESU
- 109 – Johnae Drumright (N) wins by forfeit 20-9 ESU
- 116 – Bella Frezzo (N) def. Alanna Barberio (E), 10-0 TF (3:20) 20-13 ESU
- 123 – Emily Klein (E) def. Victoria Devoto (N), pin (0:42) 25-13 ESU
- 130 – #7 Mia Macaluso (E) def. #5 Naomi Henry (N), 11-4 DEC 28-14 ESU
*Matches started at 136, then snaked around to 130*
EXHIBITIONS:
116 – Johnae Drumright (N) def. Natalie Dunn (E), 18-14 DEC.
Up Next:
The Warriors will have a quick turnaround, heading north to Elmira to battle the Eagles on Monday night at 7:00 p.m.
