Wrestling Tops USMMA for First Time in School History

2/15/2012 12:00:00 AM

HOBOKEN, N.J. (February 15, 2012) – For the first time in the Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling program's history, the Ducks defeated visiting United States Merchant Marine Academy, 37-4, in a Centennial Conference dual in Walker Gymnasium on February 15 on Senior Night. Stevens built a 27-0 lead before surrendering the first and only points to the Mariners.

Stevens, now 13-7 overall, avenged a 25-21 setback to USMMA last season by putting the match out of reach early into the dual. The Ducks recorded two major decision wins and a pin in the first five bouts to force USMMA into panic mode.

In the first bout at 125, freshman Anthony Geiger (South Amboy, N.J.) took care of Matt Ches in just 24 seconds of the first round to score a quick six points for the Ducks.

Sophomore Andrew Boehm (Granville, Ohio) matched up with Thomas Healy at 133 and Boehm came away with a 12-6 decision victory and a 9-0 lead for Stevens. At 141, freshman Mike Polizzi (Montville, N.J.) scored a major decision win by dropping Bernard Watson, 15-1.

In the 149 showdown, sophomore CJ Caserta (Mt. Arlington, N.J.) put the Ducks ahead, 16-0, with a 6-4 decision over Martin Bell to improve on his team-best 29th victory of the season. Freshman Jake Odell (South Windsor, Conn.) would step onto the mats at 157 and dominated Matt Hiltz, 10-1, for the major decision.

Junior Joey Favia (Brick, N.J.) fed off the previous bout and shutout Josh Miller, 11-0, for another major decision and a 24-point lead for the Ducks. Fellow junior Ryan Dormann (Mickleton, N.J.) spotted Stevens to its largest lead of the dual, 27-0, with a 4-0 decision over Kyle Diesel.

USMMA would take the 184 bout by major decision to score its only points of the match before sophomore Alex Moreno (Tenafly, N.J.) took the four points right back with a 17-6 outcome over Joseph Soha.

In the final bout of the night, freshman Tyler Maher (Raleigh, N.C.) ended his bout nearly as fast as it began, by pinning Joe Guetches in 41 seconds to win the match for the Ducks and the final home bout of the season.

Stevens has now completed its regular season and will travel to Gettysburg, Pa. on February 25 for the Centennial Conference Championships hosted by Gettysburg College. Originally, Muhlenberg College was the host of the championship in Collegeville, Pa., but that has since been moved.

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Stevens 37, USMMA 4

125 – Anthony Geiger (S) def. Matt Ches (U) by FALL (:24) (6-0)
133 – Andrew Boehm (S) def. Thomas Healy (U) by DEC (12-6) (9-0)
141 – Mike Polizzi (S) def. Bernard Watson (U) by MAJ DEC (15-1) (13-0)
149 – CJ Caserta (S) def. Martin Bell (U) by DEC (6-4) (16-0)
157 – Jake Odell (S) def. Matt Hiltz (U) by MAJ DEC (10-1) (20-0)
165 – Joey Favia (S) def. Josh Miller (U) by MAJ DEC (11-0) (24-0)
174 – Ryan Dormann (S) def. Kyle Diesel (U) by DEC (4-0) (27-0)
184 – Erik Schott (U) def. James Holden (S) by MAJ DEC (10-1) (27-4)
197 – Alex Moreno (S) def. Joseph Soha (U) by MAJ DEC (17-6) (31-4)
285 – Tyler Maher (S) def. Joe Guetches (U) by FALL (:41) (37-4)
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