Wrestling Defeats Coast Guard Academy, 28-15

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - In Pilgrim Wrestling League (PWL) action, the Bridgewater State College Bears knocked off visiting Coast Guard Academy, 28-15, this evening from the John J. Kelly Gymnasium in Bridgewater.

The dual meet victory marked BSC's first win of the season as well as the first collegiate coaching win for rookie head coach, Jason York.  The Bears improve to 1-2 overall and 1-2 in the PWL.  Coast Guard dips to 0-3 on the season and 0-2 in league matches.

Bridgewater jumped out to a 12-0 lead thanks to a forfeit win by freshman 125-pounder Carl O'Neal (Brockton, MA) and a first period pin by freshman Ken Francis (New Bedford, MA) at 133.  Coast Guard cut the deficit to 12-9 two bouts later as junior Dan Ippolito (Modesto, CA) earned a 13-10 decision in the 141-pound match, and senior Erik Heithaus (Wantagh, NJ) followed with a forfeit victory at 149.

BSC junior Steven Ciaccio (West Milford, NJ) and Coast Guard sophomore Will Stark (West Milford, NJ) traded wins by decision at 157 and 165 respectively to make the score 15-12 in favor of the host Bears.  Bridgewater, however, would take each of the next three bouts to secure the victory.

Sophomore Zachary Bates (Leyden, MA) posted a 10-2 major decision victory at 174 and junior 184-pounder Jeff Esposti (Brookfield, CT) followed with a forfeit win to give Bridgewater a 25-12 advantage.  Sophomore Ryan O'Rourke (Norton, MA) capped off the scoring for the host Bears with a 6-4 decision at 197.

Coast Guard junior Troy Robison (Yuba City, CA) earned a 5-1 decision in the battle of the heavyweights to account for the final score of 28-15.

Both teams will compete in the New England Wrestling Association Dual Meet Tournament on Sunday at 10 AM.  Roger Williams University is hosting the 15-team tournament.