“We want to start beating nationally ranked programs,” said Goodale. “Those are big matches and we just want to continue to not only compete, but to win them. That was a big win for us. Billy Smith and Vincent Dellefave knocking off two nationally ranked guys was big. Dellefave was huge in a big spot. We needed it. The biggest thing about it is that they were all pressure matches. One match goes the other way, we lose. We were under pressure and handled it.”
Rutgers improved to 15-3 on the season and Bloomsburg moved to 14-3. The Scarlet Knights are now 5-7 all-time against the Huskies, picking up their first win over Bloomsburg since RU came out on top on Feb. 26, 2003.
Down 9-0 after the first two bouts, Rutgers began to surge starting with a 6-1 decision by 13th-ranked senior 174-pounder Greg Zannetti (Edison, N.J.) over the Huskies’ Chris Smith. Senior 184-pounder Dan Rinaldi (Lodi, N.J.), ranked No. 10, followed with a decision of his own, 3-1, over Andre Petroski of Bloomsburg to make the score 9-6. Rinaldi is now tied for ninth on Rutgers’ career wins list with 103.
After an RU loss at 197-pounds, Smith got the Scarlet Knights back on track against No. 16 Josh Grant. Tied 3-3 with 38 seconds remaining in the third period, Smith recorded an escape and then a technical violation on Grant for grabbing Smith’s headgear gave the Wantage, N.J., native the 5-3 win.
At 125-pounds, senior Joe Langel (Howell, N.J.) closed Bloomsburg’s lead to 13-12 with a 6-1 decision over Sean Boylan. Rutgers took over the lead with the help of a thrilling win by Dellefave at 133 pounds. The redshirt junior was in a 1-1 tie with 10 seconds remaining in the final period against No. 11 Nick Wilcox and the Huskies’ wrestler held the riding time advantage. Dellefave then recorded a takedown to earn the 3-2 decision and put the Scarlet Knights on top, 15-13, and notch his ninth-straight win.
Senior 141-pounder Trevor Melde (Hewitt, N.J.) defeated Bloomsburg’s Matt Rappo, 7-1, to put Rutgers on top 18-13, sealing the match.
Rutgers travels to Philadelphia, Pa., to take on Drexel on Friday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. The Scarlet Knights then close the regular season at home against penn State on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers wrestling, follow the program on Twitter (@RUWrestling). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
Results:
157: No. 12 Frank Hickman (B) pinned Mikey Simmons (R), 3:19
165: No. 11 Josh Veltre (B) dec. Nick Visicaro (R), 6-5
174: No. 13 Zannetti (R) dec. Chris Smith (B), 6-1
184: No. 10 Dan Rinaldi (R) dec. Andre Petroski (B), 3-1
197: No. 15 Richard Perry (B) major dec. Dan Seidenberg (R), 15-6
HWT: Billy Smith (R) dec. No. 16 Justin Grant (B), 5-3
125: Joe Langel (R) dec. Sean Boylan (B), 6-1
133: Vincent Dellefave (R) dec. No. 11 Nick Wilcox (B), 3-2
141: Trevor Melde (R) dec. Matt Rappo (B), 7-1
149: Josh Roosa (B) dec. Ken Theobold (R), 5-0
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