KINGS POINT, N.Y. (January 31, 2009) – The Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling team continued to wrestle well as the Ducks won two conference matches on Saturday afternoon in Kings Point, N.Y. Stevens opened the day with a 25-15 win over Ursinus College and followed that up by defeating Muhlenberg College, 33-15. The wins move the Ducks to 10-7 overall and 4-1 in the Centennial Conference. Stevens was led by two pins from senior 197-pounder Valentin Riazanov, and a pin and a decision from junior heavyweight James Roarty.
Stevens had six wrestlers go 2-0 on the afternoon and has now won nine times in its last 11 duals after a 1-5 start.
Stevens 25, Ursinus 15
The Ducks fell behind 9-0 early as Ursinus earned wins at 125 and 133 lbs, but senior captain Pat Conrad catapulted the Ducks right back in the match with a win by pin fall win at 141 lbs. Conrad pinned James Bloom (Schnecksville, Pa.) at 2:39 in the first period to make the score 9-6.
Trailing 12-6 after a loss at 149 lbs., junior Leo Dormann won for the eighth-straight bout with a 7-2 decision over Chris Springer (New Egypt, N.Y.). Freshman Joe Favia earned a decision to tie the score at 12, and fellow rookie Ryan Dormann earned a major decision in the 174-lb. weight class to give the Ducks a 16-12 advantage.
Vincent Termini dropped a decision at 184 lbs., but Riazanov came through with an enormous pin of Connor McNamara (Winchester, Mass.) at 197 lbs. to give Stevens a 22-15 lead. Riazanov got the pin fall win at 1:48 of the first period.
Roarty closed out the match with a 3-0 decision over Fernando Jones (Philadelphia, Pa.) in the 285-lb. weight class for the final margin.
Stevens 33, Muhlenberg 15
The Ducks jumped out to an early lead in this match as freshman Brad Warren won by forfeit at 125 lbs. Junior Frank Maselli was pinned by Billy Hall (Chester, N.J.) as the Mules were able to tie the score at six two matches in.
Conrad gave the Ducks a 9-6 lead by winning his second match of the day, an 8-5 decision over Kevin Homan (Robbinsville, N.J.) at 141 lbs.
The Mules took a 12-9 lead after a win by pin fall at 149 lbs., but the Ducks answered with three-straight wins to take a commanding, 21-12 lead. Leo Dormann won a major decision at 157 lbs., and Favia backed that up with a technical fall victory at 165 lbs. Favia won by a 21-3 final as the match was stopped at the end of the second period.
Ryan Dormann won his second match of the day, 8-1 over Justin Fitch (Baltimore, Md.) in the 174-lb. weight class to put the Ducks up 24-12.
A win for the Mules at 184 lbs. wasn't enough as Stevens got pins from Riazanov and Roarty to end the match. Riazanov's pin came at 2:44 and Roarty's at 2:50.
“I was pleased with the way we came out and wrestled today,” Head Coach Mike Clayton said. “We had some very solid performances against some good conference opponents.”
The Ducks will return to the mat on February 4 when they visit Lycoming College. The match is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.
Stevens 25, Ursinus 15
125 – Alex Blank (U) major dec. Frank Maselli (ST), 15-4
133 – Steve Kingsland (U) tech fall Brad Warren (ST), 15-0, 5:17
141 – Patrick Conrad (ST) pinned James Bloom (U), 2:39
149 – Connor McCormick (U) dec. Tony Mancini (ST), 7-2
157 – Leo Dormann (ST) dec. Chris Springer (U), 9-2
165 – Joey Favia (ST) dec. John Whitham (U), 4-2
174 – Ryan Dormann (ST) major dec. Wesley Havran (U), 11-2
184 – Nate Murren (U) dec. Vincent Termini (ST), 4-1
197 – Valentin Riazanov (ST) pinned Connor McNamara (U), 1:48
285 – James Roarty (ST) dec. Fernando Jones (U), 3-0
Stevens 33, Muhlenberg 15
125 – Brad Warren (ST) won by Forfeit
133 – Billy Hall (M) pinned Frank Maselli (ST), 2:50
141 – Patrick Conrad (ST) dec. Kevin Homan (M), 8-5
149 – Rob Kein (M) pinned Tony Mancini (ST), 2:47
157 – Leo Dormann (ST) major dec. Keith Swanson (M), 18-5
165 – Joey Favia (ST) tech fall Kenneth Ludwigh (M), 21-3, 4:50
174 – Ryan Dormann (ST) dec. Justin Fitch (M), 8-1
184 – Matt Horn (M) dec. Vincent Termini (ST), 7-3
197 – Valentin Riazanov (ST) pinned Bill Sholly (M), 2:44
285 – James Roarty (ST) pinned Nick Pallotta (M), 2:50
