COLLEGEVILLE, PA. – The New Jersey City University women's wrestling team delivered a strong showing at the Will Abele Open, hosted by Ursinus College on Saturday, January 17. Competing against 19 schools, the Gothic Knights totaled 54.5 points to earn a fifth-place team finish.

Freshman Marielys Lugo-Fernandez (6-11) led the way for NJCU with a runner-up finish in the 103-pound bracket. Lugo-Fernandez advanced to the championship match with three consecutive pins. She opened her day by pinning her opponent in just 13 seconds in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals, she secured a fall in 57 seconds, followed by a 36-second pin in the semifinals. In the title bout, Lugo-Fernandez held a 5-4 lead before being pinned at the 1:44 mark.

Senior Fabiana Josa (Southampton, Pa./International Christian School) (12-11) turned in a third-place finish at 180 pounds. Josa opened the tournament with a dominant 10-0 technical fall in 3:59 in the round of 16 before advancing with a 13-0 victory in 5:18 during the quarterfinals. After a setback in the semifinals, she rebounded to claim third place with a 6-0 decision.

Sophomore Nuria Kojic (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge) (16-10) earned a fourth-place finish in the 124-pound bracket, showcasing resilience throughout the day. Kojic recorded three straight pins to begin the tournament. She opened with a 43-second fall, followed by a comeback pin at 2:43 after trailing 8-2. In the quarterfinals, she once again erased a deficit, pinning her opponent at 2:03 after being down 8-4. Kojic concluded the event with a 4-2 record.

Freshman Tehana Savory (Queens, N.Y./Brooklyn Technical) (10-7) placed sixth in the 160-pound bracket, finishing the day 4-2. Savory began with a pin in 2:50 during the round of 32 and followed with an 8-0 victory in the round of 16. After falling in the quarterfinals, she responded with back-to-back consolation pins at 2:04 and 4:11 to secure her placement.

Freshman Natalie Lozano (Bronx, N.Y./Herbert H. Lehman) (5-7) competed at 138 pounds and posted a 2-2 record. After dropping her opening bout, Lozano rebounded in the consolation bracket. Following a bye, she recorded a pin in 4:10 and followed with another fall in 1:51 in her next match.

Freshman Aracelli Rodriguez (Bronx, N.Y./Harry S. Truman) (10-8) also wrestled at 103 pounds, finishing 2-2 on the day. Rodriguez opened with a 40-second pin of Samara Ducasse from Norwich University in the round of 16. After a loss in the quarterfinals, she bounced back with a 13-2 victory in 2:06 in the consolation bracket.

Senior Dyanne Pelaez-Ordonez (Fords, N.J./Woodbridge) (1-9) competed at 117 pounds and went 1-2 on the day. She opened her tournament with a decisive 10-0 technical fall in 1:58 before dropping her next two matches.

Sophomore Caelyn Petri (Iselin, N.J./John F. Kennedy Memorial) (1-5) represented NJCU at 110 pounds and finished the tournament 0-2. Senior Apryl Coffman (Sayreville, N.J./St. Thomas Aquinas) (2-5) competed at 180 pounds, while freshman Izabella Luna (Belleville, N.J./Belleville) wrestled at 207 pounds; both also concluded the day with 0-2 records.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Saturday, January 24, when they host a quad meet featuring New England College, the University of Bridgeport, and Delaware State University. Competition is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. on both mats.

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