HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 6, 2010) – The Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling team gave the 14th-ranked SUNY Cortland Red Dragons all they could handle, but it was not enough as the Ducks dropped a 19-16 heartbreaker on Saturday at Walker Gymnasium in Hoboken, N.J. Stevens won four-straight bouts to overcome an early 13-4 deficit and took 16-13 lead, but the Red Dragons earned wins in the final two bouts to secure the win. The loss drops the Ducks to 4-9 on the season.

The Red Dragons (16-13) took a 9-0 lead after the 125- and 133-pound weight classes, but sophomore Ryan Bridge got the Ducks on the board with an impressive 12-2 major decision at 141 pounds over sophomore Mark Arcara (Harrison, N.Y.). The win was the seventh straight for Bridge who dominated the final two periods after a scoreless first.

Cortland extended its lead to 13-4 with a win at 149 lbs., but Stevens stormed back to take the lead with victories in the next four bouts. Senior captain Charles Favia earned a 5-1 decision at 157 lbs. over junior Chris Mahoney (Canandaigua, N.Y.), and sophomore Joe Favia followed that up with a 7-5 decision over Will Brodfuerhrer (Canastota, N.Y.) at 165. Brodfuerher battled back from an early 5-1 hole but Favia was able to do enough for the win.

Junior 174-pounder Bobby Bishop tied the score at 13-all thanks to a 4-1 decision over Mike Ciaburri (Palmyra, N.Y.), and junior Vincent Termini recorded an escape and take down midway through the third period of his bout at 184 lbs. to earn a 4-3 decision over Will Parks (Longwood, N.Y.) and give the Ducks a 16-13 edge.

That lead would be short lived as Cortland notched decisions at 197 and 285 lbs. to squeak out the three-point victory.

"I'm very proud of our guys and the effort they showed today," Stevens wrestling coach Mike Clayton said. "We lost to a good team, but we gained a lot of confidence. I was also really impressed with our wins at 141, 157, 174, and 184."

Stevens will return to the mat on February 10 when it hosts No. 26 Lycoming College in its Duck Country event. The match is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start and the team's seniors will be honored prior to the opening bout. Cortland returns to action at Ithaca College on February 10.

Box Score
125 - Kempf (C) def. Warren (S), 17-6 (Major Decision) (4-0 Cortland)
133 - Sterling (C) def. Neugebauer (S), 17-0 (Tech. Fall) (9-0 Cortland)
141 - Bridge (S) def. Arcara (C), 12-2 (Major Decision) (9-4) Cortland)
149 - Perez (C) def. Owens (S), 13-4 (Major Decision) (13-4 Cortland)
157 - C. Favia (S) def. Mahoney (C), 5-1 (Decision) (13-7 Cortland)
165 - J. Favia (S) def. Brodfuehrer (C), 7-5 (Decision) (13-10 Cortland)
174 - Bishop (S) def. Ciaburri (C), 4-1 (Decision) (13-13 Tie)
184 - Termini (S) def. Parks (C), 4-3 (Decision) (16-13 Stevens)
197 - Sottile (C) def. Guaimano (S), 5-1 (Decision) (16-16 Tie)
285 - Murphy (C) def. Roarty (S), 3-1 (Decision) (19-16 Cortland)

Final - Cortland 19, Stevens 16