By Tim Robertson
ITHACA, N.Y.- The Pride wrestling team went to upstate New York looking for its fourth Ivy League win, but instead the 13th ranked Cornell Big Red handed the Pride a disappointing loss full of competitive matches.
Cornell, now 5-4 in dual matches, was consistent, but did not earn dominating points in the 24-13 win over the Pride. The Big Red took four wins in the decision by a combined seven points, a testament to how even the teams were. The determining factor for Cornell was its ability to win the matches that were toss-ups.
“We lost the matches that were up for grabs,” Pride coach Tom Ryan said. “We have to work harder and get in better shape.”
The Pride expected to get wins from senior captains Mike Patrovich and Jon Masa. Masa, currently ranked fourth in the country at 149 pounds, has won 10 in a row. Patrovich, ranked fifth, has earned wins constantly for a team hindered by injuries and inconsistency.
Injuries have caused the Pride to forfeit numerous matches, and fortunately for the Big Red, Sunday turned out to be no different. The Pride was forced to forfeit the match at 125 pounds for the sixth time this season, when sophomore Dave Tomasette re-injured his leg the day before at Lehigh University. The Pride also gave away the 133 pound match, because the team is not currently carrying a wrestler at that weight. All-American Ricky LaForge, the team’s predicted 133 pound wrestler, had to withdraw from the team for personal reasons, according to Ryan. These two forfeits handed Cornell 12 early points and the Pride could not catch up.
However, the Pride did make a push at overcoming the disheartening giveaways.
Charles Griffin, at 141 pounds, battled Cornell’s Matt Easter for a takedown at the very end to earn a four-point major decision for the Pride. The sophomore fought hard for an early takedown, then took control of the match when unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness calls cost Easter two crucial points.
The Pride continued its climb at 149 pounds with Masa. The Long Beach native brought Dickey to the mat, but play was halted four times on account of Dickey’s bloody nose. Twice Masa had him close to a near fall or pin.
“The blood was annoying, it really messes up the flow of the match,” Masa said. He took even further exception to the timely injury timeouts. “He is a thief, he tried to steal a match, but I wouldn’t let him.”
Heavyweight Jon Andriac continued his streak of five straight wins and eight of nine when he defeated Cornell fan favorite Matt Pollock. The 800 plus fans in attendance got behind the senior walk-on who has not seen much action this year. Unfortunately for Pollock and those in red, Andriac earned a patient 2-0 victory with two escapes.
The Pride faced its sixth ranked opponent of the season in Cornell, dropping to 1-5 in those matches. The lone win came at the Arena against No. 22 University of Pennsylvania on Jan. 25. However, the shortest month of the year could turn into the longest for the Pride. It will face two more ranked opponents when it travels to the Sooner State and face No. 10 Oklahoma and No. 2 Oklahoma State.
“These duals are to get our best guys ready to win a national championship, that’s why we go out there,” Ryan said. “Team wise, we have our hands full.”
The Pride will conclude the regular season on the road at Rider University, a match that will feature the only two remaining unbeaten teams in the Colonial Athletic Association. Both teams have five wins, but Ryan feels good about the team’s chances.
“I’m confident about the CAA’s, but we are here to coach national champions and All-Americans,” he said. “We have some work to do.”