By Rick Rissetto, Special to The Chronicle
From the onset, it looked like a daunting task for the Hofstra Pride wrestling team: a new head coach in Rob Anspach, a team without its nationally-ranked 133-pound wrestler in Lou Ruggirello, and an early dual match versus Big Ten powerhouse Wisconsin.
But the Pride buckled down, winning seven out of ten matches, including the first three of the afternoon, to defeat the Badgers 25-12. “I felt going into the match we were a better team,” said Anspach, “and if we just went out there and did the things we’ve been preaching all pre-season, then that was going to be the fall.” Anspach said. “The people on the mat after him were excited about “P.J. had some trouble getting into his shots but he controlled the whole it.”
Hofstra would get wins from Ben Clymer in the 184-pound weight class and Paul Snyder in the heavyweight division, only dropping the 197-pound class as Matt Loew fell by decision to Jackson Hein.
“We did a great job controlling our ties,” said Anspach, “and establishing where we wanted to