Wrestling Falls to Roger Williams in Season-Opener, 32-12

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State wrestling team opened up their season tonight with a 32-12 loss against visiting Roger Williams University at Kelly Gymnasium in Bridgewater.

The match also marked the first dual meet of the season for the Hawks (1-0) who captured eight of the ten bouts.

Freshman Paul Sughrue (Methuen, Mass.) picked up his first collegiate win with a pin in the 133-pound weight class giving the Bears their first and only lead of the match, 6-3.  Sughrue pinned his opponent with just one second remaining in the third period.

The Hawks would win the next seven bouts including a pair of pins by freshman Ty Herzog (Slatington, Pa.) and sophomore Dan Ressler (Hillsdale, N.J.) at 157 and 174, respectively, as well a 15-0 technical fall victory by freshman Danny Downes (Houston, Texas) at 149.

Senior captain Ricky Caruso (Waltham, Mass.) would close out the match with a first period pin at the heavyweight class.  Caruso was competing in his first match in over a year after missing all of last season due to injury.

"Honestly the match was closer than the score says," said BSU head coach Tim Ferreira. "We lost two matches on last-second takedowns and had a four-point lead at 157 and got a defensive pin against us. But that's what happens when you have young team."

"I was definitely encouraged by the effort tonight and I think it's a good jumping off point for us going forward," Ferreira added.  "We still have a lot of improving to do but we're going to get there."

Next Saturday, the Hawks host the Roger Williamson Invitational beginning at 10:00 AM.  The Bears (0-1) will also compete at the annual tournament.