HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The George Mason wrestling team wrapped up the regular season with a 28-9 victory over Hofstra at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex in Hempstead, N.Y.
Mason finished with its best season in 11 years, recording a winning dual record for the first time since the 2007-08 season.
The Patriots went 9-7 overall, including a mark of 3-4 at home and a 6-3 record on the road during the 2018-19 campaign.
Mason (9-7, 3-3 EWL) took the lead over Hofstra (6-14, 2-7 EIWA) when junior Spencer Reed (3-10, 3-6) won by forfeit at 125 pounds.
At 133 pounds, Mason redshirt sophomore Talha Farooq (7-16, 6-10) trailed Hofstra junior Jacob Martin 10-6 in the second period and 13-7 in the third.
Farooq responded and registered a pin at 6:21 to increase the match-score lead to 12-0.
The Eagles picked up a decision at 141 pounds to make the score 12-3.
In his final NCAA dual match, Mason redshirt senior Tejon Anthony (27-9, 12-4) started quick against Hofstra freshman Holden Heller, recording three takedowns in the first period to build a 6-2 lead at 149 pounds.
The Patriots captain went on to a 10-4 decision to record his 27th victory of the season, a career high.
At 157 pounds, Mason freshman Kolby Ho (20-10, 10-4) led Eagles senior Ryan Burkert 5-1 in the first and cruised to an 8-2 decision to increase the Patriots advantage to 18-8. Ho reached the 20-win mark in his rookie season with the Patriots.
Mason redshirt junior Colston DiBlasi (27-9, 11-2) trailed Hofstra sophomore Chris Mauriello 2-1 after the first period and 4-2 late in the second.
With the score tied 6-6, the match went to overtime, where DiBlasi scored a takedown to earn an 8-6 decision to extend the Mason match-score lead to 21-3. DiBlasi finished the regular season tied for second on the team with 27 wins.
Hofstra picked up a 6-3 decision at 174 pounds and a 3-1 decision at 184 pounds.
At 197 pounds, Mason redshirt sophomore Eli Spencer (24-11, 6-5) and Hofstra senior Nezar Haddad were locked in 1-1 tie after the third period. In overtime, Spencer scored with a takedown for the 3-1 decision in sudden victory.
In his final collegiate dual match, Mason redshirt senior Matthew Voss (28-5, 13-2) recorded the only points of the first period against Eagles junior Omar Haddad, recording a takedown to take a 2-0 lead.
Voss took a 3-0 lead into the third period and added seven more points in a 10-1 major decision as the Patriots defeated the Eagles 28-9.
Voss paced the Patriots with 28 wins and 13 dual victories during the season.
Mason will host the 2019 Eastern Wrestling League Championships on March 9 at EagleBank Arena. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 1 and will be available at the EagleBank Arena box office or online at Ticketmaster.com.
Results:
125 | Spencer Reed (Mason) by forfeit | 6-0 Mason
133 | Talha Farooq (Mason) fall over Jacob Martin (Hofstra), 6:21 | 12-0 Mason
141 | Garrett Lambert (Hofstra) decision over Julio Alegria (Mason), 10-5 | 12-3 Mason
149 | Tejon Anthony (Mason) decision over Holden Heller (Hofstra), 10-4 | 15-3 Mason
157 | Kolby Ho (Mason) decision over Ryan Burket (Hofstra), 8-2 | 18-3 Mason
165 | Colston DiBlasi (Mason) over Chris Mauriello (Hofstra), 8-6 (SV-1) |21-3 Mason
174 | Ricky Stamm (Hofstra) decision over Cornelius Schuster (Mason), 6-3 | 21-6 Mason
184 | Trey Rogers (Hofstra) decision over Paul Pierce (Mason), 3-1 | 21-9 Mason
197 | Eli Spencer (Mason) decision over Nezar Haddad (Hofstra), 3-1 (SV-1) | 24-9 Mason
285 | Matthew Voss (Mason) major decision over Omar Haddad (Hofstra), 10-1 | 28-9 Mason
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