College Wrestling
Hofstra University 25, Rider University 12
Colonial Athletic Association Dual

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y.--The Rider University wrestling team lost a Colonial Athletic Association dual at Hofstra Wednesday evening.

The Pride won seven of the 10 duals including all three bouts that were decided by one-point.

"It was a great dual meet to watch if you are a fan of wrestling," said head coach Gary Taylor.  "There were a lot of good bouts that could have gone either way.  We fought hard and we probably needed to fight a little harder in some of the bouts at the end.  Hofstra has a very good team and we went out and were competitive."

For Rider (8-11, 2-3 CAA), junior 141 Aaron Nestor (Transfer, Pa./Reynolds) won by fall at the 5:30 mark, his 18th victory of the season and third by pin, defeating the CAAs top ranked 141 Vicente Varela.  "Aaron is starting to come on and he is getting better," Taylor said.  "This is an important time of the season and if he can continue to improve over the next few weeks, he had a chance to win CAAs.  He is capable of it and that is where his focus has to be, to win at CAAs and get to Nationals."

Sophomore 149 Zac Cibula (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg Casco) scoring his 24th win of the season, a 4-0 decision that brought the Broncs to within 10-9.  "Zac has been stead and keeps improving," said Taylor.  "Zac has been one of our most consistent wrestlers, as evidenced by his record."

Senior Rob Morrison (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cedar Cliff) won a 6-4 decision at 165 for his 25th win of the season.

"I'm excited that Robbie defeated one of the best wrestlers in the country (ninth ranked Ryan Patrovich)," Taylor said.  "Robbie has also been very consistent and I'm really fired up that he defeated a nationally ranked wrestler tonight."

The Broncs defeated Hofstra 21-16 last season, the first time in 11 seasons that Rider had defeated the Pride.  Former East Coast Conference (ECC) and East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA) rivals, Rider is now 16-15 against Hofstra since 1980-81. Rider lost 23-12 to Hofstra in 2008-09.

"A lot of wrestling comes down to those one point decisions," Taylor added.  "The CAAs do and also at NCAAs.  To be a champion and eventually have a chance at becoming an All-American, you need to figure out how to get the one-point advantage instead of a one-point loss.  It is a very fine line.  We have a young group, they are learning and they will continue to work at it."

Rider hosts Boston University on Saturday at noon in the final CAA dual of the regular season.  The Broncs will honor their graduating seniors prior to the match.

-RU-