FAIRFIELD, CT – An undermanned Rutgers wrestling team, which was without two of its starters, pulled out a 21-19 victory over Sacred Heart on Thursday night in Fairfield, CT. With the win, the Scarlet Knights even their dual meet record at 2-2.

RU was competing without two of its normal starters, at 133 and 157. Redshirt freshman 125-pounder Ricky Ringel (South Plainfield, NJ) was forced to move up to the 133-pound weight class, where he lost to Michael Messina by technical fall in 5:55 (21-6), to give the Pioneers an early 5-0 cushion after one match.

Senior Donnie Defilippis (New Providence, NJ) pulled the Scarlet Knights within a point following a 17-5 major decision of Sacred Heart’s Nick Dalicandro at 141. RU took over control with an 8-2 decision by senior Greg Austin (Seaville, NJ) at 149.

However, the lead was short-lived as Sacred Heart earned its second technical fall in four matches, with Rob Belville earning an 18-2 TF in 6:33 over redshirt freshman James Rosinski (Milford, NJ) at 157. The Pioneers extended their lead to six after Rutgers junior Chris Ressa (Andover, NJ) lost a hard-fought match at 165 to Sherwood Fendryk in overtime, 5-3.

Rutgers junior Andy Roy (Wall, NJ), ranked ninth nationally at 174 pounds, tied the match at 13-13 with his third pin of the season. The co-captain downed Wayne Oaldey in 1:36, for his fourth-consecutive win.

The Scarlet Knights earned eight more points with consecutive major decisions at 184 and 197 to open a 21-13 lead with two matches left. RU’s Rudy Medini (Colonia, NJ) posted a 10-1 major decision over Kevin Fox at 184, followed by a John Foscolo (South Plainfield, NJ) 15-1 major decision at 197. Foscolo came within one point of earning a technical fall in the match.

Sacred Heart gained back three points, to make it 21-16, after Payam Zarrinpour recorded a close, 4-3 decision over Rutgers freshman Ramel Meekins (Westwood, NJ) at 285.

Needing a pin in the final match of the evening to earn a tie with Rutgers, Sacred Heart’s Phil Kalil registered a 7-4 decision over RU’s Dare Ajibade (Bloomfield, NJ). Ajibade avoided the take-down and Rutgers earned its second dual win of the season.

Rutgers will return to the College Avenue Gymnasium this Saturday, Jan. 17, when the Scarlet Knights face Franklin & Marshall and Wagner in a tri-meet to begin at noon.

Wt Winner (School) Decision Loser (School) Score/Time
133 Michael Messina (S) TF Ricky Rringle (R) 21-6/5:55
141 Donnie DeFilippis (R) Maj. Dec. Nick Dalicandro (S)17-5
149 Greg Austin (R) Dec Jess Fendryk (S) 6-2
157 Rob Belville (S) TF Jim Rosinski (R) 18-2/6:33
165 Sherwood Fendryk (S) Dec Chris Ressa (R) 5-3 ot1
74 Andy Roy (R) Pin Wayne Oaldey (S) 1:36
184 Rudy Medini (R) Maj. Dec. Kevin Fox (S) 10-1
197 John Foscolo (R) Maj. Dec Max Pazden (S) 15-1
285 Payam Zarrinpour (S) Dec Ramel Medcius (R)4-3
125 Phil Kalil (S) Dec Dave Ajibade (R) 7-4