EAST STROUDSBURG, PA. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) women's wrestling team, ranked #14 in the Nation in the preseason National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) rankings, officially kicked off its 2024-25 season today, Sunday, Nov. 3, at the ESU Open, hosted by East Stroudsburg University. The Gothic Knights placed 11th overall out of 35 teams with fifth-year Sandy Guerrero (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) leading with a podium finish.

In the 180-pound weight class, Guerrero had a strong showing at the tournament, finishing in third place. After earning a bye in the round of 32, she faced Isabella Phillips from Gannon University in the round of 16, winning decisively with an 11-5 score. In the quarterfinals, the West Orange, N.J. native continued her momentum, dominating Skyler Gassel of Lehigh and winning by technical fall with a score of 10-0 in just two minutes and five seconds. However, her tournament run came to an end in the semifinals against Madison Sandquist from Sacred Heart, where she lost 10-0 in three minutes and 42 seconds. Sanquist went on to finish first.

Sophomore Fabiana Josa (Churchville, Pa./International Christian School) also had a notable performance in the 160-pound weight class. She began with a decisive 9-2 victory over Samira Stephens from Frostburg, winning by fall in 4 minutes and 47 seconds. In the round of 16, Josa faced Shonticia Taft from Lincoln Memorial but lost a closely contested match, 13-10.

Freshman Nuria Kojic (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) had a challenging outing in the 124-pound weight class. She successfully passed through the round of 32, earning a victory by fall against East Stroudsburg's Lanxi Xu, with the match concluding in three minutes and 22 seconds. However, in the round of 16, Kojic faced Riley Flickinger from Lincoln Memorial. Despite a strong effort, she fell short in a close contest, losing with a final score of 21-14.

Fifth-year Claire Daity (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield), competing at 131 pounds, delivered a strong effort against Evangeline Moran from Western New England. The match ended in a 6-6 tie, but Daity was awarded the win. She then faced a tough opponent in Alaina Stanford from Cedar Crest College in the round of 16, unfortunately losing 10-0 after five minutes and six seconds.

In the same weight class, senior Bella Serrano (Belmar, N.J./Manasquan) faced Olivia Palmer from East Stroudsburg in the round of 32. Despite her best efforts, Serrano lost the bout with a score of 16-6.

In the 117-pound weight class, junior Dyanne Pelaez (Fords, N.J./Woodbridge) encountered a challenging match against Melanie Mendoza from King University, being pinned in just 28 seconds. Mendoza went on to win the entire bracket.

Freshman Sofia Garcia also competed at 117 pounds, losing to Brenna McCarley from Gannon University by fall in one minute and five seconds.

Senior Kayla Zeppetelli (Little Ferry, N.J./Ridgefield Park) wrestled in the 138-pound weight class, facing Lili Ujfalvi from Gannon University in the round of 32. Zeppetelli fought hard but lost by fall with a score of 4-1 in four minutes.

Lastly, freshman Citaly Condado (Somerset, N.J./Franklin) competed in the 180-pound weight class against Maria Hiles from Frostburg. Condado was unable to secure a win, losing by fall in just 44 seconds with a score of 8-0.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights will compete at the Bill Farrell Memorial Invitational on Friday, Nov. 8, in New York, N.Y., with preliminaries and repechage beginning at 9:30 a.m.
For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University sports, visit njcugothicknights.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Gothic Knights news by following NJCU Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.