Wrestling Falls to Western New England in the Bear Cup, 32-13

By Jim Fenton

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The Western New England University wrestling team retained the Bear Cup with a 32-13 victory over Bridgewater State University Saturday.

The Golden Bears lost in only three of the 10 weight classes to improve to 1-1 in dual meets.

The teams began playing for the Bear Cup in 2024 with BSU losing the initial matchup at home, 31-12.

The Bears fell to 0-2 in dual meets after losing the opener against the University of Southern Maine.

Junior Christian Curley (Bridgewater, Mass.) was the first BSU winner at 197 pounds while teammates senior Sei Dolomengi (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) at 125 pounds and freshman Ethan Buonanducci (Enfield, Conn.) at 133 pounds also recorded victories.

Curley won by fall at 2:46 over graduate student Charles Maloy (Pocono Summit, Pa.). Curley also secured a win by decision at last year's Bear Cup.

Dolomengi won by major decision, 15-5, over senior Clayton O'Connor (Schenectady, N.Y.) for four points while Buonanducci was a 7-2 decision winner over sophomore Austin Mitrosky (Manchester, N.J.) for three points.

Scoring six points each for Western New England were junior Colton Wells (Barre, Mass.) at 285 pounds, junior Nicholas Baccala (Johnston, R.I.) at 174 pounds and senior David Lisk (Manasquan, N.J.) at 165 pounds.

Wells defeated junior Michael Mastroianni (Milford, Mass.) by fall at 3:21, Baccala stopped junior Jack Janes (Avon, Conn.) by fall at 2:47 and Lisk won by forfeit.

The Golden Bears received five points from graduate student Jaylen Hawkins (Danbury, Conn.) at 184 pounds.

He won over senior Vincent Player (Duxbury, Mass.) by technical fall, 17-1, at 4:14.

Three points each were recorded by Western New England freshman Nicholas Adams (Worcester, Mass.) at 141 pounds, senior Austin Monteiro (Wilbraham, Mass.) at 149 pounds and sophomore Matthew Rodriguez (East Meadow, N.Y.) at 157 pounds.

Adams won by a 3-1 decision over senior Malcolm Chrispin (Hyde Park, Mass.) while Monteiro decisioned freshman Kamel Dib (Lincoln, R.I.), 7-3, and Rodriguez also won by decision, 7-3, over sophomore James Calabrese (Foxborough, Mass.).

BSU will be back in Springfield next Saturday to take part in the Doug Parker Invitational at Springfield College at 10 a.m.