Even though Jake Slotnick earned an upset victory over No. 26 Cesar Alvan from Columbia University, the Hofstra University wrestling team fell 32-6 to Columbia in the Pride’s home opener on Sunday, Nov. 16. The Pride move to 1-3 on the season.
At 165 pounds, Slotnick, a redshirt sophomore, faced off against Alvan, a ranked senior and multiple-time NCAA Championship qualifier. It was an aggressive match off the whistle, with Alvan earning the first takedown after which Slotnick fought for a quick escape, making good attempts for an attack of his own. Slotnick entered the second period on bottom down 3-1 and worked for another escape. Throughout the match, Alvan worked a heavy upper body attack, getting to double under hooks multiple times. With 40 seconds left in the second period, Alvan worked their attack again and went for a throw, but Slotnick anticipated the move, dropping his weight to catch Alvan on the mat and earn a takedown. Entering the third period, Slotnick was up 5-4 when Alvan found a quick escape and evened the score. Slotnick hit a powerful double leg and held Alvan off on their feet after he got an escape to win the match 8-6. The win is Slotnick’s team-leading eighth victory of the season and his first career win over a ranked opponent.
Frank Volpe earned the only other win on the afternoon for the Pride at 157 pounds. Taking on Columbia freshman Charles Scanlan. Both went scoreless in the first period, with Volpe earning the first points from an escape at the start of the second period. After holding Scanlan down for the duration of the second period, Volpe earned a riding time point, winning 2-0.
Chase Liardi and Will Conlon both had good performances in their losing matches at 141 and 197 pounds, respectively. Against No. 29 Lorenzo Frezza, Liardi got in on a single leg that he transitioned to a double for the finish. The attack was initially ruled a no-score, but after a challenge from Hofstra head coach Jamie Franco, the call was overturned and ruled a takedown. Frezza got an escape at the start of the second period with Liardi matching him with an escape to start the third and make the score 4-1. Frezza earned a takedown to tie the match, but with two stall calls against him, Liardi gave up a point to Frezza for the 5-4 win. Conlon, on the other hand, had a great initial attack, but Adam Haselius was ready to counterattack and got around for his own takedown. Without being discouraged, Conlon earned an escape and took another shot, finding the takedown off a single leg. After a scramble on mat, Haselius earned a reversal, ending the first period leading 5-4. The action slowed after that with Haselius earning an escape in the second period and Conlon fighting for his own in the third. Conlon, who is returning after an injury last season, slowed down in the third period, allowing Haselius to score another takedown and riding time point to win 10-5.
The Pride will travel on Saturday, Nov. 22, to Philadelphia to take on the University of Pennsylvania, followed by the Keystone Classic the next day on Sunday, Nov. 23.
