PISCATAWAY, NJ – The Rider University wrestling team fell to in-state rival and No. 25 Rutgers, 28-6, on Sunday afternoon at the Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC). With the loss, the Broncs move to 1-1 in duals this year, while the host Scarlet Knights improved to 6-1 overall.

Rider scored the first points of the day as Bronc junior Jonathan Tropea (Harrington Park, NJ/Saint Joseph {Montvale}) defeated Shane Metzler of Rutgers by decision. At the end of the second period, it was tied at 2-2 with Tropea carrying over 25 seconds of riding time. He would choose the bottom to start the third period and earn three points for the guests courtesy of a 5-3 triumph.

Rutgers responded by winning eight of the final nine matches on the day.

The other Bronc victory on Sunday came from junior Jesse Dellavecchia (Great River, NY/East Islip) at 165. He defeated Rutgers freshman Stephan Glasgow. Dellavecchia entered the third period with 40 seconds of riding time and he used that to score a 5-4 victory.

RESULTS
125 – Jonathan Tropea (Rider) dec. Shane Metzler (Rutgers), 5-3.
133 – #2 Nick Suriano (Rutgers) maj. dec. Anthony Cefolo (Rider), 15-3.
141 – Mike Van Brill (Rutgers) dec. Travis Layton (Rider), 6-2.
149 – #2 Anthony Ashnault (Rutgers) WBF Evan Fidelibus (Rider), 3:34.
157 – #17 John Van Brill (Rutgers) dec. Gino Fluri (Rider), 2-1.
165 – Jesse Dellavecchia (Rider) dec. Stephan Glasgow (Rutgers), 5-4.
174 – Willie Scott (Rutgers) dec. Dean Sherry (Rider), 7-6.
184 – Nick Gravina (Rutgers) dec. Mike Fagg-Davies (Rider), 3-2.
197 – Matt Correnti (Rutgers) dec. Ethan Laird (Rider), 6-3.
285 – Christian Colucci (Rutgers) dec. Ryan Cloud (Rider), 2-0.

NOTES & QUOTES
"I thought our kids wrestled hard and handled the environment well today. Unfortunately, close doesn't get it done. We need to keep working to improve and wrestle with more of a sense of urgency. Otherwise we'll always just be close." – Rider Head Coach John Hangey

- Rider is now 1-2 in their last three matches against nationally-ranked opponents.
- The match was the first between the two Garden State rivals since December of 2012. Rutgers has won the last two duals in the series history.
- Tropea now has a team-best nine victories this season, thanks to finishing first at the Keystone Classic at 125 and second at the Princeton Open. He improved to 1-1 in dual action.
- Dellavecchia improved to 8-1 overall on the year and a perfect 2-0 in duals.
- Rider returns to action on Thursday, December 20, with a road dual against nearby Princeton. The match is slated to begin at 7:00 pm inside Jadwin Gymnasium.