Posted: Dec 02, 2022

Men’s Wrestling Defeats No. 15 Rhode Island College in First Home Dual Meet

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (December 2, 2022) – The Western New England men's wrestling team opened their 2022-2023 home schedule with a bang on Friday night, defeating the 15^th ranked Rhode Island College Anchormen from the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

How it Happened:
The 125 lb. match, which opened the night, did not favor the Golden Bears as Clayton O'Connor would make his debut at home for the Golden Bears, though was knocked off via major decision 12-2. Western New England saw their first win of the night come in the next match, in the 133 lb. match when Austin Monteiro defeated Kwesi Amoa of Rhode Island College in a near 6-5 decision that favored Monteiro which gave Western New England their first three points of the match.

WNE would streak to three wins in a row after Colby Reilly defeated Michael Pestana 9-3 via decision to give the Golden Bears three points on the board to take a 6-4 lead over the Anchormen. Western New England's James Barrett beat Saliou Jobe via decision in the 149 lb. weight class, getting Western New England another three points, taking a 9-4 lead in the match.

Rhode Island College would storm back, winning the 157 lb. weight class and 165 lb. weight class getting nine points from those matches to take a 13-9 lead over the Golden Bears.

The Golden Bears would make a comeback for the ages, winning the 174 lb., 184 lb., and 197 lb. weight classes to regain the lead, which then stood at 23-13. Sean Monteiro would win the 174 lb. weight class, defeating Christopher McCarthy via major decision 16-5. Griffin Ostrom would win via fall over Matt Myers in 4:00 to grab six Golden Bear points. Darby McLaughlin would pick up a major decision win for the Golden Bears, picking up the final four points of the night for Western New England to secure a win. The Golden Bears would defeat the 15^th ranked Anchormen 23-17 to move to 2-1 on the season in dual meets.

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