HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 15, 2019)  – No. 1/1 Brett Kaliner earned his fourth pin of the season, however, the eighth-ranked Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling team fell to No. 15 Ithaca College, 29-12, Friday, in a non-conference dual at Canavan Arena.

No. 8/6 Thomas Poklikuha earned a decision victory at 165 and No. 9/10 Michael Dooley earned his first career victory at 285 for the Ducks, who dropped their dual opener to fall to 0-1. 

Ithaca earned victories in seven of the 10 weight classes, with four of the seven wins coming with bonus points. The Bombers evened their dual record at 2-2. It was the first dual between the nationally-relevant programs, and formal regional rivals, since Nov. 2015. 

The Bombers took control of the match early, collecting victories at 125 and 133. Sophomore Akhil Vega took to the mat at 125 in his season debut, but dropped a 10-1 major decision to Logan Ninos. The score was close through the opening period before Ninos was able to control Vega for a four-point near fall to earn the bonus-point victory.

At 133, freshman Kyle Slendorn dropped a spirited bout to Travis Jones. Making his collegiate debut, Slendorm built an early lead through the first period, before Jones turned the Howell, New Jersey native on his back for a four-point near fall. Jones was able to add riding time to his point total to produce the final 11-5 margin.

No. 8/6 Ben Brisman scored a 15-3 major decision over freshman Hunter Gutierrez at 141 to increase the Ithaca lead to 11-0, however, Kaliner scored Stevens' victory of night with a third-period pin of Ithaca's Matthew Beyer to bring the Ducks within five. Kaliner was in control throughout the first two periods before the West Chester, Pennsylvania native trapped his opponent on his back for the fall.

The most entertaining match of the night took place at 157, where senior Dylan Van Sickell dropped a heartbreaking 11-10 decision to Sam Schneider. Van Sickell had control in the opening period, scoring a pair of takedowns to take the early lead and built a riding time advantage. However, Schneider reversed the margin in the second period, only for Van Sickell to return the favor in the third period. The Little Silver, New Jersey native seemed poised for the victory, only to see Schneider jump back in front with a single-leg takedown in the final minute. Despite the furious roar of the crowd, Schneider rode-out the final 30 seconds to hang on for the victory.

In the only bout contested between nationally-ranked wrestlers, Poklikuha scored two takedowns in the final period to earn his fifth victory of the year with a 12-8 decision over No. 6 Austin Wallace. The victory trimmed Ithaca's advantage in the match to 14-9. However, Ithaca earned second-period pins at 174 and 184 to clinch the dual. The Bombers added on a decision victory at 197 to produce the team's final three points.

In the final match of the evening, Dooley bumped up to 285 and won a 3-2 decision over Dalton Elias. The Hillsborough, New Jersey native, who won sported a perfect 3-0 recoed at 197, scored the only takedown of the bout and then held off Elias' shots in the final period to secure the victory.

Additionally, freshman Nick Ciraulo earned his fourth victory of the year with an 11-2 major decision over Adrian Rosario-Beato in an exhibition match held prior to the dual.

Prior to the dual. Jeff Marsh, Executive Director of Beat The Streets, addressed the crowd about the program's mission and its role in the development of several members of both Ithaca's and Stevens' wrestling rosters. 

No. 15 Ithaca 29, No. 8 Stevens 12
125: Logan Ninos (I) won by decision over Akhil Vega (S), 10-1; Ithaca leading 4-0
133: Travis Jones (I) won by decision over Kyle Slendorn (S), 11-5; Ithaca leading 7-0
141: #8/#6 Ben Brisman (I) won by major decision over Hunter Gutierrez (S), 15-3; Ithaca leading 11-0
149: #1/#1 Brett Kaliner (S) pinned Matthew Beyer (I), 6:13; Ithaca leading 11-6
157: Sam Schneider (I) won by decision over Dylan Van Sickell (S), 11-10; Ithaca leading 14-6
165: #8/#6 Thomas Poklikuha (S) won by decision over #6/NR Austin Wallace (I), 12-8; Ithaca leading 14-9
174: Alec Corrao (I) pinned Robert Gennat (S), 3:50; Ithaca leading 20-9
184: #10/NR Eze Chukwuezit (I) pinned Robert Gennat (S), 4:15; Ithaca leading 26-9
197: Steven Rice (I) won by decision over Bruce Parola (S), 9-2; Ithaca leading 29-9
285: #9/#10 (at 197) Michael Dooley won by decision over Dalton Elias (I), 3-2; Ithaca wins 29-12

Exhibition
149: Nick Ciraulo (S) won by major decision over Adrian Rosario-Beato (I), 11-2

Up Next: Wrestling heads to Massachusetts on Nov. 23 for the annual WPI Duals, hosted by Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The Ducks will take on Castleton University, Roger Williams University and the hosting Engineers.

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