On Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Action, the Hofstra University wrestling team fell to Franklin and Marshall College 23-15 and No. 29 Drexel University 26-13. At 133 and 157 pounds, respectively, Gauge Shipp and Frank Volpe both earned upset victories over ranked opponents on Drexel, with Volpe and No. 32 165-pound Jake Slotnick winning both of their matches on the day. Hofstra now sits at 2-11 overall and 2-4 in conference action. 

No. 31 Kyle Waterman scored the first takedown in his match against Shipp and found another great opportunity for a commanding start to the match, though it was unsuccessful as the two went out of bounds. Shipp started the second period on bottom, finding a quick escape and taking a shot of his own. Waterman avoided the initial attack, but Shipp reattacked with a trip that evened the score at 4-4. Waterman earned back-to-back escapes to close out the second period after beginning the third on the bottom. Waterman attempted multiple shots, appearing to score a takedown that was later reviewed and recalled as Shipp had an arm around Waterman’s neck in a headlock. After the review, the two reset with about 25 seconds left on the clock and tied 5-5. Shipp was aggressive off the whistle. After a flurry, Shipp caught Waterman on his back to earn a takedown and two sets of near-fall, one for four points and one for two, winning by major decision 14-5. 

For Volpe’s upset of the day, he battled No. 24 Luke Nichter, scoring the first points at the end of the second period off a single- turned double-leg takedown. Nichter started the third period on bottom, finding an escape to put himself on the board. He took a shot that Volpe defended, and the two found themselves rolling on the mat in a long scramble with Volpe ultimately finding his way on top and scoring. Nichter found his way back to his feet once again and attempted to throw Volpe with double over-hooks. However, Volpe anticipated the throw and dropped his weight, placing Nichter on his back for another takedown, winning the match by major decision 9-2. 

Hofstra split the dual against F&M, going 5-5 through 10 weight classes, but it was bonus-point victories that pushed the Diplomats ahead. Volpe and Slotnick as well as Matthew Waddell, Will Conlon and Adrian Sans – weighing 174, 197 and 285, respectively – all earned wins by decision for a 15-point total, while F&M found two wins by pin, two by decision and one by technical fall. The loss snapped a nine-match win streak for the Pride over the Diplomats, with the series now at 13-6. 

Against the Dragons, Hofstra lead halfway through the battle, largely thanks to Shipp and Volpe’s upsets, with a score of 10-8. Slotnick’s 4-3 win over Dom Findora pushed the score to 13-8, but the Pride fell in the last five matches, sealing Drexel’s victory. Slotnick’s win over Findora and 149-pound Alex Turley’s win over Deon Pleasant were both their 25th career victories, respectively. 

Hofstra heads upstate to battle the United States Military Academy on Saturday, Feb. 7, before returning home for their last dual meets of the season.