EAST STROUDSBURG, PA. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) men's wrestling team competed at the East Stroudsburg Quad on Sunday, February 1, posting an 0–3 record against New York University (NYU), East Stroudsburg University (ESU), and Shippensburg University.

The Gothic Knights opened the day against NYU, falling by a 28–15 margin. The Violets claimed the opening bout at 125 pounds with a narrow 2–1 decision, but NJCU responded immediately behind senior Lucas Torre (Point Pleasant, N.J./Brick Memorial), who delivered a commanding 17–1 technical fall in just 1:33 at 133 pounds. Junior Dean Costantino (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) continued the momentum with an 11–10 decision at 141 pounds, followed by a 4–2 decision from senior Zack Vera (Livingston, N.J./Livingston) at 149 pounds to extend NJCU's early lead. NYU answered with a shutout decision at 157 pounds, before freshman Zahier Chiles (Newark, N.J./St. Benedict's Prepratory) earned a 15–7 major decision at 165 pounds. The Violets then secured victories in the remaining four weight classes to pull away and seal the team win.

NJCU next faced host East Stroudsburg University, dropping a 29–13 decision. Torre once again provided an early spark, pinning his opponent in 1:40 at 133 pounds to put the Gothic Knights on the board. After a stretch dominated by the Warriors, Chiles delivered NJCU's second win of the match with an 18–5 major decision at 165 pounds. Senior Simeon Hunte (Burlington Township, N.J./Burlington Township) closed NJCU's scoring effort with a hard-fought 13–11 decision at 197 pounds, but ESU captured the majority of the bouts to secure the victory.

The Gothic Knights wrapped up the quad with a tightly contested 20–18 loss to Shippensburg. Sophomore Dominic Terracciano (Keansburg, N.J./Keansburg) set the tone with a 4–1 decision at 125 pounds, and Torre followed with a 7–1 decision at 133 to give NJCU an early advantage. After dropping the 141-pound bout, Vera rebounded for the Green and Gold with a 4–1 decision at 149 pounds. Shippensburg then won four consecutive matches from 157 through 184 pounds to take a commanding lead. Hunte trimmed the deficit with a 4–3 decision at 197 pounds, and senior Walter Thomas (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) added six points with a forfeit at heavyweight, but the comeback attempt fell just short.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Friday, February 13, when they host Sussex County Community College at 7:00 p.m. inside the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.

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