Ferreira Notches First Coaching Win as Wrestling Downs Plymouth State, 27-20

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University wrestling team posted their first dual meet victory of the season as the host Bears defeated the Panthers of Plymouth State University, 27-20, on Alumni Day at the Tinsley Center on Friday evening.

The win marked the first for rookie head coach Tim Ferreira as the Bears improved to 1-5 on the season.  The match was the Bears first of only two home bouts on the season.  Plymouth slips to 0-3 with the setback.

Bridgewater trailed 14-9 after Plymouth State senior Femi Wheeler (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) posted a 22-7 technical fall victory at the 157-pound weight class.  BSU senior captain Sean Fields (Norwalk, Conn.) then earned a six-point medical forfeit victory at 165 followed by a 9-7 decision by sophomore teammate Matthew Bergeron (Brockton, Mass.) at 174 to put the Bears on top, 18-14.

Freshman Chris Perrault (Saint Johnsbury, Vt.) reclaimed the lead for the Panthers with a win by fall (3:27) at 184, but BSU freshman Matthew Small (Foxborough, Mass.) turned a reversal into a pin at 197 to put the Bears back out in front to stay, 24-20.  Junior TJ Vallee (Augusta, Maine) moved up a weight class to put the finishing touches on the victory with a 4-2 decision at heavyweight.

Sophomore Brett Reed (Mansfield, Mass.) and freshman Eric Bergeron (Brockton, Mass.) also posted wins for the host Bears.  Reed picked up a forfeit victory at 125 to open the match, while Bergeron earned a 6-2 decision at the 149-pound weight class.

Junior Fred Reisch (Norwalk, Conn.) added a win by fall at 133 for the Panther while sophomore Alex Gerhold (Derry, N.H.) posted an 8-3 decision at 141.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday, January 19th.  The Bears travel to Riverdale, New York for the Mount Saint Vincent Invitational, while the Panthers head to Williams College for a tri-match with the host Ephs and Oswego State.

Notes: 19 former wrestlers and coaches were in attendance at this evenings match including two-time All-American (2002, 2004) and three-time NCAA Tournament qualifier, Craig Buckley, four-time NCAA Tournament qualifier (2007-2010) and current assistant coach, Frank Cammisa, and 2008 NCAA Tournament qualifier, James Quinlan.