Donovan & Fortini Lead Golden Bears Past Trinity, 21-18

Western New England rallies from late 18-15 deficit to secure victory

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 5, 2017) – Senior captain Brian Donovan (Manchester, Conn.) and freshman Nick Fortini (Deer Park, N.Y.) recorded key wins to help the Western New England University wrestling team overcome a late deficit and earn a 21-18 victory over Trinity College this afternoon at the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

Top Performers
• Donovan registered a 6-0 decision over Devon deFilippi at 197 pounds to tie the score at 18 heading into the final bout.
• Fortini snapped a 1-1 tie in the third period on his way to a 4-2 decision over Matthew Ferraro in the heavyweight contest, which sealed the win for the Golden Bears.
• At 133 pounds, junior Tim McLinden (Plaistow, N.H.) rallied from a 8-2 deficit before taking a 10-8 decision over Ian Moritz in overtime.

Match Review
• Western New England opened up an early 9-0 lead as junior Mike Garone (Melville, N.Y.) accepted a forfeit at 125 and McLinden was victorious at 133.
• Grant Sorenson got the Bantams on the board at 141 with his 7-0 decision over freshman Alex Starr (Lebanon, Conn.).
• Junior Lamont Wallace (New Rochelle, N.Y.) increased Western New England's lead to 12-3 with his 5-3 decision against James Sclafani at 149.
• Trinity pulled to within three (12-9) following the 157 pound bout as John Reilly won by fall (1:13) over freshman Chase LaRusso (Enfield, Conn.).
• The two teams split at 165 and 174, with freshman Davey Goodall (Chelmsford, Mass.) claiming a 3-1 decision over Nolan Cormu and Stephen Cerrone recording a 9-4 victory over sophomore Josh Nelson (Bristol, Conn.).
• Trinity took its first lead of the afternoon (18-15) on Joseph Caggiano's pin of freshman Brandon Young (Aurora, Colo.) at 184.
• Donovan's triumph at 197 set the stage for Fortini's heroics in the final bout of the match as the Golden Bears pulled out a thrilling victory.

Up Next
Western New England will be back in action on Thursday with its final home match of the 2016-17 season as Plymouth State visits the Alumni Healthful Living Center for Senior Night.