University Park, PA -- The Pride posted victories in three of the final four matches of the day, including the deciding win by junior Lou Ruggirello in the contest finale, as Hofstra (2-0) defeated #7 Penn State (0-1), 18-15, at the Rec Hall Sunday afternoon.
Hofstra trailed 12-7 after the Pride's sixth-ranked senior Alton Lucas (4-1) was upset by unranked freshman Quentin Wright, 4-3, at 174 pounds, and Penn's State's 15th-ranked senior Phil Bomberger edged freshman Ben Clymer (1-1), 5-4, at 184. But Pride sophomore Joe Fagiano (5-0), a 17th-ranked transfer from Indiana who was making his dual match debut for Hofstra, started the visitors on their way back with a 15-6 major decision over senior Andrew Haile at 197 pounds to close the gap to 12-11.
After Penn State's red-shirt freshman Cameron Wade boosted the Nittany Lion lead to 15-11 with a 4-2 decision over Pride freshman Jordan Enck (4-4) in the 285-pound match-up, Hofstra freshman Steve Bonanno (5-3) kept the Pride's hopes alive with an 8-6 overtime victory over sophomore Brad Pataky at 125 pounds. Bonanno rallied from a 6-2 deficit in the second period to tie the match on a PSU stall penalty to send the match into overtime tied at 6-all. His quick takedown in the sudden victory period brought the Pride to within one at 15-14 heading into the finale at 133 pounds.
Ruggirello, who entered the match 5-0 this season with five pins, posted a first period takedown and added an escape, a takedown and a three-point near-fall in the third period to post a 9-0 major decision victory and win the match for the Pride.
The match opened up at 131 pounds, Hofstra jumped out to the early lead in the contest behind red-shirt freshman Justin Accordino. Accordino recorded his fifth win in seven outings this season with a 12-4 major decision over red-shirt freshman Frank Molinaro behind a big third period. The Wilkes-Barre, PA, native trailed 4-3 after two periods before dominating the third period to post his second major decision of the year.
But the Nittany Lions posted victories in the next two contests to take a 6-4 lead in the match. In an exciting 149-pound match, Penn State's second-ranked junior Bubba Jenkins jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the third period and staved off a late rally by Pride red-shirt freshman P.J. Gillespie for a 10-7 victory. At 157-pounds, Dan Vallimont, Penn State's third-ranked junior, had a similar match with Hofstra's 15th-ranked junior Jonny Bonilla-Bowman (3-2). Vallimont jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the second period and held on for an 11-8 victory and a 6-4 lead in the contest.
Hofstra sophomore Ryan Patrovich gave the Pride a 7-6 lead with a solid 9-4 win over senior Mark Friend. Patrovich won his fourth straight match to improve to 5-1 on the season.
The Pride will return to action next weekend in Columbia, Missouri when they face the 5th-ranked Tigers of Missouri on Saturday, November 22 before competing in the Missouri Open on Sunday, November 23.
