LEXINGTON, Va. (February 7, 2015) – The Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling team cruised to a pair of Centennial Conference victories Saturday, defeating McDaniel College by a score of 37-18 and Washington and Lee University, 38-15.
 
The Ducks – who have now won 6-of-7 in the conference – improve to 6-2 in Centennial action and 13-6 overall.
 
Stevens was led by two wins apiece from sophomore Rob Murray, freshman Zach Wilhelm, senior Mike Polizzi, senior CJ Caserta and freshman AJ Kowal.
 
Stevens 37, McDaniel 18
Murray notched a technical fall to get Stevens off to a strong start in the first dual, but McDaniel ran off two-straight victories to open a 12-5 margin heading into 149 pounds.
 
Wilhelm quieted the McDaniel momentum, picking up a win by fall in the second period of his match, and Polizzi gave the Ducks a lead (16-12) they would never relinquish with a 16-0 technical fall at 157 pounds.
 
Caserta at 165 made it three-straight Duck wins, picking up a pin less than one minute into his match, and Kowal made it six pins in his last six bouts at 174, handing Stevens a 28-12 margin in the process.
 
Senior Zach Bass scored a 21-4 technical fall at 184 to put Stevens on top 33-12, and after a loss at 197, senior Chris Florek won for the eighth-straight time at 285, pocketing a 17-6 major for the final 37-18 margin.
 
Stevens 38, W&L 15
Murray and senior 133-pounder Anthony Geiger picked up wins via forfeit to put the Ducks ahead 12-0, and after a loss at 141, Wilhelm, Polizzi, Caserta and Kowal ripped off victories to give the Ducks a 35-6 advantage.
 
Wilhelm won via technical fall 1:11 into the second period of his match (19-3), with Polizzi and Caserta following up with forfeit victories. Kowal continued his amazing falls streak, notching his seventh-straight pin 23 ticks into the 174-pound matchup.
 
The Generals posted wins at 184 and 197, with junior heavyweight Tyler Maher closing the match with a 4-1 decision for Stevens, giving the Ducks a 38-15 win.
 
W&L is now 2-18 and 0-8 in the conference, while McDaniel drops to 7-9 overall and 3-5 in the conference.
 
Caserta's second win of the day gave him 10 in a row, while Polizzi pushed his individual winning streak to 18 bouts. Kowal has won 12 in a row for the Ducks.
 
Stevens will return to action at the 2015 Centennial Conference Championships hosted by McDaniel College on February 14.
 
STEVENS 37, McDANIEL 18,
125 – Rob Murray (SIT) d. Nate Franz (MC); 19-2 [5-0]
133 – Ryan O'Boyle (MC) d. Anthony Geiger (SIT); Fall 2:45 [5-6]
141 – Alvontae Drummond (MC) d. Kyle Salgueiro (SIT); Fall 1:34 [5-12]
149 – Zach Wilhelm (SIT) d. Trey Mitchell (MC); Fall 4:17 [11-12]
157 – Mike Polizzi (SIT) d. Erik Meyer (MC); 16-0 [16-12]
165 – CJ Caserta (SIT) d. Logan Yox (MC); Fall 0:48 [22-12]
174 – AJ Kowal (SIT) d. Jake Pooton (MC); Fall 3:21 [28-12]
184 – Zach Bass (SIT) d. Nick Cross (MC); 21-4 [33-12]
197 – Ricky Tisinger (MC) d. Ryan Jachim (SIT); Fall 2:15 [33-18]
285 – Chris Florek (SIT) d. Robb Donovan (MC); 17-6 [37-18]
 
STEVENS 38, WASHINGTON AND LEE 15
125 - Rob Murray (SIT) wins by forfeit [0-6]
133 - Anthony Geiger (SIT) wins by forfeit [0-12]
141 - Alex Pollera (W&L) d. Kyle Salgueiro (SIT); Fall 4:20 [6-12]
149 - Zach Wilhelm (SIT) vs. Zach Papin (W&L); Tech Fall 19-3 (4:11) [6-17]
157 - Mike Polizzi (SIT) wins by forfeit [6-23]
165 – CJ Caserta (SIT) wins by forfeit [6-29]
174 - AJ Kowal (SIT) d. Sal Diaz (W&L); Fall 0:23 [6-35]
184 – Ron Tassoni (W&L) d. Kalen Gans (SIT); 9-4 [9-35]
197 – Evan Kueffner (W&L) d. Ryan Jachim (SIT); Fall 2:21 [15-35]
285 – Tyler Maher (SIT) d. Matt Kaminer (W&L); 4-1 [15-38]