WVU Drops Home Opener
By Tim Goodenow
WVU Sports Information Office
January 29, 2005
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The 18th-ranked West Virginia University wrestling team dropped its home opener to ninth-ranked Hofstra, 23-18, on Saturday afternoon at the WVU Coliseum.
Hofstra improved to 8-3 on the season despite splitting five bouts with the Mountaineers. It was the Pride’s bonus points in four matches that gave West Virginia its fifth loss of the season.
Winning matches for WVU were senior Greg Jones (184), junior Matt Lebe (157), sophomores Zac Fryling (165) and Matt Holsopple (HWT) and true freshman Shawn Cordell (125).
Cordell opened the dual meet with an exciting win over Hofstra’s Dave Tomasette. Tomasette held a 3-1 lead heading into the final period before Cordell countered with three straight points. Cordell tallied a takedown with 15 seconds remaining to take a 4-3 advantage and win the match.
Hofstra evened the team score with a victory at 133 pounds from Charles Griffin over Seth Lisa. Lisa took an early 2-0 lead on a single-leg takedown in the opening period. Griffin put the match away with six points in the final period for an 8-2 decision.
The Pride took control of the meet with bonus point wins at 141 and 149 pounds. Hofstra’s John Manarte collected a technical fall with a 17-2 decision while eighth-ranked and All-American John Masa posted a fall at 4:44.
West Virginia gained back six team points with back-to-back wins at 157 and 165 pounds. Matt Lebe’s first period double-leg takedown proved key in scoring a 3-2 decision over James Strouse.
At 165 pounds, Fryling battled to a 5-3 lead in the opening three minutes against Chris Vondruska. Vondruska escaped to begin the middle period for the only points in the final four minutes with Fryling taking a 5-4 decision.
Tenth-ranked Paul Siemon raced out to a 7-1 lead over Mountaineer Eric Mullen at 174 pounds. Siemon’s fourth takedown of the bout earned him a technical fall at 6:12 to put Hofstra ahead 19-9 in the team standings.
Two-time national champion Greg Jones stayed unbeaten with a solid 13-7 decision over Hofstra’s Joe Rovelli. Jones took a 4-1 advantage in the opening period on two takedowns. Two more takedowns in the third period and riding time gave Jones his 12th win of the season. Jones, a Hodge Trophy candidate, extended his winning streak to 38 matches dating back to last season.
Hofstra took a 23-12 lead with a win at 197 pounds from All-American and No. 2 ranked Chris Skretkowicz. Skretkowicz led 6-0 after two periods before posting a 10-0 major decision.
West Virginia heavyweight Matt Holsopple picked up a win via forfeit for WVU’s final six team points.
The Mountaineers resume Eastern Wrestling League action with a road trip to neighboring-rival Pitt on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m.
No. 9 Hofstra 23 (8-3, 0-0 CAA)
No. 18 West Virginia 18 (2-5, 2-0 EWL)
125: Shawn Cordell (WVU) DEC Dave Tomasette (HOF), 4-3
133: Charles Griffin (HOF) DEC #20 Seth Lisa (WVU), 9-2
141: John Manarte (HOF) TECH Vince Gioiella (WVU), 17-2 7:00
149: #8 Jon Masa (HOF) FALL #18 Mike Torriero (WVU), 4:44
157: #7 Matt Lebe (WVU) DEC James Strouse (HOF), 3-2
165: Zac Fryling (WVU) DEC Chris Vondruska (HOF), 5-4
174: #11 Paul Siemon (HOF) TECH Eric Mullen (WVU), 18-2 6:12
184: #1 Greg Jones (WVU) DEC Joe Rovelli (HOF), 13-7
197: #2 Chris Skretkowicz (HOF) MAJOR Jared Villers (WVU), 10-0
285: Matt Holsopple (WVU) FORFEIT
Official: Roy Phillis
Attendance: 542
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