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Olivia Hillestad

The Hofstra University wrestling team fought hard for two victories in their 35-8 loss to the No. 23 University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, Nov. 22. Matthew Waddell won his match by technical fall 20-5 at 184 pounds, followed by Will Conlon, who won 6-1 at 197 pounds. The Pride fell to 1-4 on the season, and the Quakers stayed undefeated at 2-0. 

Hofstra struggled early against the ranked team, going winless through seven matches as Penn built a 30-0 lead. 

Waddell took control early in his match against Xander Kuokkanen, scoring an early takedown off an arm drag. Kuokkanen was quick to his feet and earned an escape, but Waddell’s attacks continued, and he scored again by shooting a low single and coming out the back door. After Kuokkanen got another escape, Waddell kept the pressure on, scoring one last time before the end of the first period. For his third takedown, Waddell got to a low single again and ended up in the crackdown position before briefly hopping over Kuokkanen and securing the takedown. Kuokkanen found another escape after starting the second period on bottom, but Waddell’s attacks continued with another takedown from a single leg, followed by letting Kuokkanen get back up to his feet and taking him down once again. Waddell kept Kuokkanen on the mat. He earned near fall points from a cross face turk and ended the match by technical fall 20-5. Waddell moved to second on the team with seven wins this season. 

Despite a few good looks from Conlon, he went scoreless in the first period against Martin Cosgrove. Conlon started the second on bottom and quickly got to his feet for an escape but was once again unable to find a takedown. Cosgrove earned an escape of his own to start the third period, but Conlon’s attack finally proved fruitful, taking Cosgrove down and holding him for the rest of the match. Conlon earned a point for stalling on Cosgrove and a riding time point, making the final score 6-1. 

At 174 pounds, Jurius Clark was only a point away from victory in his 2-1 loss to Caden Bellis. Clark earned his point off stalling by Bellis in the third period, but points from an escape and riding time ultimately made the difference. 

Despite his week in the national rankings, No. 33 Jake Slotnick was held scoreless in his match against Sean Seefeldt at 165 pounds, falling by a major decision 8-0. 

At 125 pounds, Teague Strobel kept his match against No. 31 Davis Motyka to a loss by decision 8-2, while Slotnick fell to Penn’s highest-ranked wrestler, No. 6 Cross Wasilewski, by technical fall 18-2 at 149 pounds. 

Hofstra returned to the Palestra the next day for the Keystone Classic on Sunday, Nov. 23. The Pride are home for their next dual against the University of Wisconsin on Dec. 7 at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.