BROOKLYN, N.Y. (February 2, 2022)  – No. 20 Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling won six of the 10 contested bouts to defeat No. 13 New York University 21-15 Wednesday evening in a non-conference dual at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility.

Junior Akhil Vega, sophomore Luke Hoerle, junior Kyle Slendorn, graduate student Brett Kaliner, sophomore Nick Boggiano and junior Stefan Major were all victorious for the Ducks (5-4), who sported a slightly different look to the lineup, in recording their fifth consecutive win and third straight over a nationally-ranked opponent. Sophomore Michael Conrad pinned Gabe Rodrigues in an extra countable match to round out the evening's competition. The six-point victory was the Ducks' fifth in the last six meetings with their cross-river rival. NYU, who defeated New Jersey City University earlier in the evening, dropped to 13-2.

"Big win tonight against a tough NYU squad," said associate head coach Anthony Bonaventura. "It was a total team effort from everyone that stepped out on the mat and who made the trip to support from the bench. No spectators were present, but we took control of the gym from the opening whistle."

"We continue to get better every time out," Bonaventura continued. "The difference tonight was the fight our team brought for seven minutes. We found a way to gut out some tough decisions early that got the ball rolling and huge bonus-point wins by Slendorn and Kaliner - those guys stepped up and dominated up a weight. I am really proud of how we battled tonight."

The Ducks began the dual with consecutive decision victories at 125 and 133, with Vega defeating Tyler Crew by a 4-1 margin and Hoerle holding off the Violets' Nick Kruczynski, ranked second in the Northeast Region, 8-7. The wins were the 13th of the season for Vega and the 20th for Hoerle, respectively.

NYU jumped on the board with a decision win at 141, before Slendorn, ranked fifth in Division III at 141, took to the mat at 149 for the first time, and scored a 14-5 major decision over Anthony Chavez for his first career win in the weight class. Slendorn's victory moved him to 21-2 on the year, setting a new career high in victories.

Kaliner, Division III's top-ranked 149-pounder, also moved up in weight and recorded a 22-7 technical fall over Trent Furman at 157 in his first career match in the division. Furman is the second-ranked wrestler in the weight class in the Northeast Region. Kaliner earned his 20th victory of the year and his team-leading 10th tech fall, which ranks among the nation's leaders. 

Boggiano kept the Ducks' momentum rolling with a 5-1 decision over Tyler Podolsky, before Major continued his impressive junior campaign with a 4-3 decision over Izaake Zuckerman, who is ranked 12th at 184, but dropped down in weight to face Major. After posting 19 wins in his inaugural season on Castle Point, the Fort Salonga, New York native secured his team-leading 24th victory of the year with the decision over Zuckerman.

Major's victory was the final one of the evening for the Ducks. NYU posted a decision victory at 184, which was followed by a tech fall at 197 and a major at heavyweight to provide Stevens' final margin of victory. The Ducks have averaged six wins during its five-dual winning streak.

Dual Results
No. 20 Stevens 21, No. 13 New York University 12
125: Akhil Vega (SIT) won by decision over Tyler Crew (NYU), 4-1; Stevens leading 3-0
133: Luke Hoerle (SIT) won by decision over Nick Kruczynski (NYU), 8-7; Stevens leading 6-0
141: Danny Lightfoot (NYU) won by decision over Trevor Mastorio (SIT), 7-1; Stevens leading 6-3
149: #5 (at 141) Kyle Slendorn (SIT) won by major decision over Anthony Chavez (NYU), 14-5; Stevens leading 10-3
157: #1 (at 149) Brett Kaliner (SIT) won by technical fall over Trent Furman (NYU), 22-7; Stevens leading 15-3
165:Nick Boggiano (SIT) won by decision over Tyler Podolsky (NYU), 5-1; Stevens leading 18-3 
174: Stefan Major (SIT) won by decision over #12 (at 184) Izaake Zuckerman (NYU), 4-2; Stevens leading 21-3
184: #11 (at 174) Jason Geyer (NYU) won by decision over Frank Medina (SIT), 6-4; Stevens leading 21-6
197: #13 Matt Kelly (NYU) won by technical fall over Max Ruiz (SIT), 17-0; Stevens leading 21-11
285: Will Ortman (NYU) won by major decision over Joseph Russell (SIT), 11-1; Stevens wins 21-15

Extra Countable Match
184: Michael Conrad (SIT) pinned Gabe Rodriguez (NYU), 4:24

Up Next: No. 20 Wrestling returns to Grantham, Pennsylvania and Hitchcock Arena for the third time this season on Feb. 5 for the Messiah Open.

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