By Mark Mausner – STAFF WRITER
After establishing a 15-12 lead through six matchups, the Hofstra Pride wrestling team dropped their final four en route to a 34-15 loss at Harvard in EIWA competition on Friday.

The Pride started off slow, losing their first two matches.

Tyler Tarsi won a 4-0 decision over Jahlani Callender at 157 in the first match of the evening. The Crimson’s Devon Gabbo handily defeated Cory Goshkagarian by an 18-3 tech. fall in the 165-weight class which gave Harvard an 8-0 lead.

But the Pride struck back, winning three of the next four matches. Redshirt junior Frank Affronti put the Pride on the board with a 5-4 decision over Joseph Johnson at 174, his third consecutive victory.

Sophomore Cory Damiana followed that up by pinning senior Michael Mocco at 184 to give the Pride a 9-8 lead.

With the win, Damiana moved to 14-18 overall while Affronti now boasts a 28-11 mark on the season.

Harvard regained a 12-9 lead on senior Josh Popple’s 10-2 major decision victory over freshman Omar Haddad at 197. Pride junior Michael Hughes put Hofstra back on top, 15-12, on a forfeit win at 285.

That was the last Pride lead of the day, as Harvard went on to win the final four matches.

Nolan Hellickson defeated Pride sophomore Bryan Damon by fall at 6:41. Jeffrey Ott defeated Hofstra’s Marcus Begay in the same fashion at 133, a victory via fall at 4:46.

Hofstra forfeited at 141 and Harvard’s Patrick Hogan defeated Kyle Krasavage by a 13-4 major decision at 149 to seal the 34-15 Crimson victory.