By Gio Annatelli — STAFF WRITER
After winning three of its last four dual matches, the Hofstra Pride wrestling team lost both its matches this past weekend. The team fell to Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association opponents Army West Point, 33-10, and Binghamton University, 31-10. The Pride now falls to 3-8 on the year and 0-3 in the EIWA.
On the weekend, there were only five individual victories for the Pride. Bryan Damon went 2-0 with a pin at Army West Point, Michael Hughes went 2-0 with two major decisions, and Bobby Fehr went 1-1 with a victory against Binghamton. With the wins, Damon improves to 14-16 overall and 2-1 in EIWA matches. Hughes brings his already stellar record to 24-6 while being 3-0 in EIWA matches. Fehr improves to 4-14 on the year with a 1-2 record in EIWA bouts.
In the match at Army West Point, it opened up with the 165 weight class going first as a change of pace. From 165 to 197, the Black Knights posted four straight victories against Bobby Fehr, Frank Affronti, Cory Damiana, and Omar Haddad. They were up to a strong 14-0 lead before Michael Hughes killed the momentum for Army West Point, tallying a major decision win at 285.
It would seem the Pride had a chance to go on a run of their own, with Bryan Damon pinning his opponent in the first period. The score would be 14-10 at this point, with the match within reach for Hofstra.
It wasn’t enough, as the Black Knights would take the 133 to 157 weight classes by taking down Marcus Begay, Jamel Hudson, Kyle Krasavage, and Jahlani Callender.
Army West Point would improve to 3-3 in dual matches and 2-0 in the EIWA.
Hofstra would host the Binghamton Bearcats the next day, only to lose again by a similar score. It started with a hard-fought victory by Bryan Damon to give the Pride its only lead of the weekend.
The Pride would then lose the 133 to 157 weight classes, with losses from Marcus Begay, Connor Muli, Kyle Krasavage, and Cory Goshkagarian, with three of the four losses being by pin.
Bobby Fehr would try to spark the Pride, as he would mount a come-from-behind 9-6 victory to bring the score to 21-6. But the Bearcats were just too much, as they would go on another run, defeating Frank Affronti, Cory Damiana, and Omar Haddad. Junior Michael Hughes would close out the rough day for Hofstra with a 11-0 major decision victory to bring the final score to 31-10. The win would be Hughes’ third consecutive victory.
Coming out of Sunday, Binghamton improves to 6-4 overall and 3-2 in EIWA matches.
Following the match, head coach Dennis Papadatos was not happy about the loss. “If you’re okay with [today’s loss], then me and you should not coexist in the Pride wrestling room.”
The Hofstra Pride will return to action next Sunday, January 24, in the Hofstra Duals at the Mack Physical Education Center. The Pride will go up against Sacred Heart, Clarion, and EIWA opponent Columbia.
