| HOFSTRA BLANKS ARMY 41-0 |
| November 15, 2006 |
| The dual started at 174 pounds where two - time state champion Alton Lucas (West Babylon) hit a lightning quick duck under for a 2-0 lead and added three other takedowns, as he coasted to a 10-5 decision. Lightweights Dave Tomasette (125) and Lou Ruggirello (133) added decisons over their foes and helped the Pride to a comfortable 26 - 0 lead. Tomasette, is a junior and currently ranked 20th in the nation, posted a 9-1 verdict and Ruggirello edged his Army foe with a 2-1 decision. Both wrestlers traded escapes but Ruggirello added a riding time point for his margin of victory. Highly regarded junior Charles Griffin, ranked 14th in the country, countered a strong single leg attack with a spectacular scramble takedown for a 2-0 lead and cruised to an 11-0 major decision at 141 pounds. Mike Patrovich, currently ranked third in the nation, dominated his opponent with his single takedowns and converted a front headlock into back points for an entertaining, 22 - 8 romp at 165 pounds. Junior Joe Rovelli, is ranked seventh, and used a barrage of takedowns for a solid 14-3 victory at 184 pounds. Weidman, ranked sixth in the country, controlled his opponent and posted the first fall for the Pride at 197 pounds. First year coach Tom Shifflet has the Pride off to a fast start as they now have shutout two opponents on consecutive nights. Shifflet commented on his team's early success, "I am very pleased with they way we are wrestling, we are riding tough and have been real aggressive." MAT NOTES... Hofstra defeated Wagner, 56-0, in a match that lasted just 42 minutes. Coach Tom Shifflet hails from Sweet Home HS ( Buffalo area) and was a three-time All-American at Edinboro University (PA). He becomes the 10th head wrestling coach at Hofstra, the first coach was Walter "Brick" Stone in 1947. This is Hofstra's 59th season of intercollegiate wrestling. Assistant coach Joe Dubuque is a two-time NCAA champion from Indiana University. The match against the Black Knights of Army was Chief Ray Downey, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund Night, in memory of the late FDNY hero who was killed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The recipients of this year's scholarship grants are James Strouse and Mike Patrovich. Strouse (MacArthur HS) and Patrovich (Islip HS) are both former NYS champions. Ruggirello is a true freshman and won three state titles along with a National HS championship during his stellar career at Valley Central HS. The 11th-ranked Pride extended their conference dual match undefeated streak and have posted 46 consecutive victories. They will compete in the East Stroudsburg Open this Saturday and then take on the top ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers at 10:00 AM at the Journeymen/Brute Northeast Duals, Guilderland Center, NY, on Nov. 25th... HOFSTRA 41 ARMY 0 125 - Dave Tomasette (H) major dec. Fernando Martinez, 9-1. 133 - Lou Ruggirello (H) dec. Matt Kyler, 2-1. 141 - Charles Griffin (H) major dec. Lief Gilsdorf, 11-0. 149 - Mike Parziale (H) dec. Brian Rowan, 6-4. 157- James Strouse (H) major dec. Dan Geib, 11-3. 165- Mike Patrovich (H) major dec. John Drew, 22-8. 174 - Joe Rovelli (H) major dec. Scott Ferguson, 14-3. 197 - Chris Weidman (H) pinned Connor Sanders, 4:21 285 - Matt Pollock (H) pinned Michael Sprigg, 3:26. |
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| Hofstra's, James Strouse lifts Army's Dan Geib in the 157 pound match which Strouse won by a score of 11-3. |
| Alton Lucas of Hofstra works for a takedown against Ryan Mergen of Army. Lucas went on to win 10-5 at 174 pounds. |