BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The visiting Western New England University wrestling team posted a 26-19 victory over Bridgewater State University on Wednesday night at John J. Kelly Gymnasium.
The Golden Bears, who won six of the ten bouts, improve to 5-3 on the season in dual meet competition, while the host Bears fall to 1-3.
Sophomore Nick Arborio (Berlin, Conn.) opened the evening with a 17-5 major decision win at the 125-pound weight class. Arborio entered the match ranked sixth in New England. After junior Austin Roche (Southborough, Mass.) picked up an 11-5 decision at 133, sophomore 141-pounder Justin DeLucia (Holbrook, N.Y.) recorded a 16-4 major decision to give the Golden Bears an early 11-0 lead.
Sophomore Riley Tufts (Medford, N.J.) got the Bears on the board with an 11-6 decision at 149, and sophomore 157-pounder Devin Winn (Brockton, Mass.) followed with a win by fall (1:19) to cut the deficit to 11-9. The pin by Winn was his second of the campaign.
Western New England freshman Jeffrey Suschana (Somers, Conn.) earned a key 10-6 decision over BSU sophomore Fox Maxwell (Wilmington, Mass.) at 165 to make the score 14-9 in favor of the Golden Bears. Maxwell, who returned to the lineup after battling back from an injury, was ranked seventh in New England.
Sophomore Wilfredo David (Chicopee, Mass.) pulled the Bears to within 14-13 with a 12-4 major decision victory at 174. However, a pin (3:24) by junior 184-pounder John Boyle (Rowley, Mass.) followed by a forfeit win at 197 gave the Golden Bears a 26-13 lead and clinched the match. Boyle is ranked first in New England and second in all of Division III.
BSU freshman heavyweight Ryan Higgins (Billerica, Mass.) capped off the scoring with a win by fall (4:17). Higgins improved his win-loss record to 17-5 and the pin marked his fifth of the season.
Both teams are back in action on Saturday. The Bears head to Plymouth State University for the Jim Aguiar Invitational, while the Golden Bears travel to Ursinus College for the Will Abele Invitational.