GORHAM, Maine -- The Bridgewater State University wrestling team dropped a 41-12 decision to the University of Southern Maine on Friday evening at Hill Gymnasium in the season opener for both teams.

The Bears (0-1) received wins from junior Sei Dolomengi (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) at the 125-pound weight class and freshman Nathan Quinones (Bergenfield, N.J.), in his collegiate debut, at 165.

Seniors AJ Robinson (Branford, Conn.) and Owen Bufagna (Newton, N.H.) and sophomores Kyle Moore (Kennebunk, Maine) and Derek Cote (Lebanon, Maine) each earned a win by fall for the host Huskies (1-0).

Dolomengi staked the Bears to an early 6-0 lead with a first period (2:06) pin of freshman Noah Krysztofiak (Farmington, Maine).

Southern Maine, however, responded with four consecutive wins to take the lead for good.

2024 NCAA qualifier Jake Craig (Jr., Norridgewock, Maine), earned an 18-1 (2:51) technical fall win at the 133-pound weight class to get the Huskies on the board,and Moore followed that up with a pin 44 seconds into the second period at 141 pounds. Freshman Shane Moore (Kennebunk, Maine) made it 15-6 with a 12-4 major decision victory at 149, and 2024 NCAA qualifier Colby Frost (Sr., Steep Falls, Maine) moved up a weight class to 157 and posted a decisive 20-3 (3:38) technical fall victory to extend the lead to 20-6.

Quinones rallied from an early deficit to pin USM junior Colin Sevigney (Wells, Maine) in the third period (6:16) to cut the deficit in half, 20-12.

The Huskies, however, won each of the final four bouts, including pins by Cote, Haynes and Bufugna at 174, 184 and heavyweight, respectively, to pull away for the 41-12 victory.

Southern Maine entered the season ranked fifth in the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Preseason Team Tournament Rankings.

The Bears are back in action on Saturday, September 9th when they compete at the Roger Williams Invitational.