NEW YORK, N.Y. (January 31, 2015) – The Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling team improved to 2-1 in the Centennial Conference and 9-5 overall with a pair of dominating wins over Johns Hopkins University and Gettysburg College Saturday at New York University.
 
The Ducks went 16-4 on the day, overcoming early deficits in both matches before picking up convincing victories.
 
Stevens 33, Johns Hopkins University 9
After Hopkins jumped out to a 9-0 lead following wins at 125 and 133, junior Ryan Wilson brought the Ducks within three (9-6) with a win by fall in the first period of his match at 141.
 
Freshman Zach Wilhelm tied things with a hard-fought 3-2 decision at 149 for Stevens' second-straight win, and the Ducks closed the dual with eight consecutive bout victories for the 33-9 final.
 
Senior 157-pounder Mike Polizzi gave Stevens (8-5) the lead for good with a 4-0 shutout, and senior CJ Caserta followed with a major at 165 to put the Ducks up 16-9. Freshman 174-pounder AJ Kowal returned to the mat from injury with a bang, posting a first-period fall, and fellow freshman Phil Woods notched a well-earned 4-2 victory at 184. Sophomore Ryan Jachim followed with a decision at 197 to put the Ducks up 28-9 and senior heavyweight Chris Florek closed the match with a technical fall at 285 lbs.
 
Stevens 38, Gettysburg 10
Sophomore Rob Murray opened the second dual of the day with a major at 125 to get the Ducks off to a strong start, but the Bullets picked up wins at 133 and 141 to open a 10-4 margin with seven bouts remaining.
 
The tides began to turn when Wilhelm picked up a major at 149 to pull the Ducks within two (10-8), and Polizzi made it two in a row with a technical fall to give the Ducks a 13-10 lead. Polizzi has now won 13-straight matches and is 20-2 on the season. Caserta earned his team-high 29th win of the year via fall at 165, and Kowal made it two pins in two bouts to give Stevens a commanding 25-10 lead with three bouts to go.
 
Sophomore Kalen Gans won by decision at 184 and Jachim moved to 2-0 on the day with a win by forfeit at 197 as the senior Florek closed things with a major in the heavyweight matchup.

Florek, Jachim, Kowal, Caserta and Polizzi all went 2-0 on the day.
 
The Ducks will get back to it quickly when they host conference foes Muhlenberg College and No. 21 Ursinus College Sunday in the Canavan Arena. The Ducks and Mules will square off at 12 p.m. before taking on the Bears at 2 p.m. Both matches will be webcast live at www.stevensducks.com.
 
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