HOBOKEN, N.J. (December 11, 2009) – The Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling team fell to Elizabethtown College by a score of 29-16 on Friday night at Walker Gymnasium in Hoboken, N.J. The Ducks were able to erase an early 12-0 deficit and tie the score at 16-all but Elizabethtown got wins in the final three bouts of the evening to earn the victory. Stevens (0-2) got wins from freshman Ryan Bridge, senior captain Charles Favia, sophomore Joe Favia, and junior Bobby Bishop.

The Blue Jays (2-2) earned wins by fall at 125 and 133 lbs. to take the early 12-0 lead, but Bridge got the Ducks on the board with a 6-2 decision over senior 141-pounder Eric Rhoads (Manheim, Pa.).

Freshman Ryan Owens fell 15-6 to freshman Tye Boyer (Lewistown, Pa.) in the 149-lb. weight class, but Charles Favia earned a nice decision over freshman Max Barskey (Jenkintown, Pa.) at 157 to cut the Elizabethtown lead to 10 at 16-6. The Stevens senior went into the third and final period trailing 1-0 but got an early escape to tie the score and two take downs to seal the deal. He ended up winning by a final of 7-3.

Joe Favia got a 10-2 major-decision victory at 165 lbs. to cut the Blue Jay lead to six (16-10). Favia, up 4-1 going into the final two minutes, outscored junior Josh Cook (Gardners, Pa.) 5-1 in the final period and with more than two minutes of riding time, clinched the major decision.

Bishop continued to wrestle well at 174 lbs. as the Duck junior earned a win by medical forfeit over freshman Julian Meaney (Toms River, N.J.) to knot the score at 16. Meaney took a 5-3 lead into the second period but Bishop started to take control towards the end of the first. In the second he quickly got an escape and take down to seize the lead and was leading 12-6 in the third before Meaney was injured.

Elizabethtown went 3-0 in the final three bouts to take the 29-16 win and even its record at 2-2 on the season. The Blue Jays got a major decision at 184 lbs. from freshman Jim Gentile (Gibbstown, N.J.), a decision from junior Bill Meaney (Toms River, N.J.) at 197 lbs., and a fall by senior Deron Sharp (Millville, Pa.) at 285.

Stevens will break for finals and winter recess before returning to action at the Virginia Duals on January 8 and 9. The next dual-match will be at Delaware Valley College on January 16, 2010.\

Box Score

125 lbs. – T. Erdman (E) def. B. Warren (S) – Fall (2:24) (Elizabethtown, 6-0)
133 lbs. – M. Harnish (E) def. A. Vissichelli (S) – Fall (1:42) (Elizabethtown, 12-0)
141 lbs. – R. Bridge (S) def. E. Rhoads (E) – Dec. (6-2) (Elizabethtown, 12-3)
149 lbs. – T. Boyer (E) def. R. Owens (S) – Maj. Dec. (15-6) (Elizabethtown,16-3)
157 lbs. – C. Favia (S) def. M Barskey (E) – Dec. (7-3) (Elizabethtown, 16-6)
165 lbs. – J. Favia (S) def. J. Cook (E) – Maj. Dec. (10-2) (Elizabethtown, 16-10)
174 lbs. – B. Bishop (S) def. J. Meaney (E) – Injury (Tied, 16-16)
184 lbs. – J. Gentile (E) def. V. Termini (S) – Maj. Dec. (20-8) (Elizabethtown, 20-16)
197 lbs. – B. Meaney (E) def. E. Guaimano (S) – Dec. (9-4) (Elizabethtown, 23-16)
285 lbs. – D. Sharp (E) def. C. Selvoski (S) – Fall (6:45) (Elizabethtown, 29-16)

Final Score – Elizabethtown 29, Stevens 16