Nicholas DePierro

Results

BRONX, N.Y. – The University of Scranton wrestling team's dream for an undefeated season ended on Saturday, but not before the Royals moved one victory closer to a single-season school record for wins.

The Royals defeated host Mount Saint Vincent, 51-6, to open the day, but later suffered their first loss of the season, 25-15, to New York University. Scranton is now 12-1 on the season, one victory shy of tying the school's all-time record for wins, which was set in the 1980-81 season when the Royals finished 13-4.

Scranton rolled past the Dolphins in the opening match behind pins from junior Nicholas DePierro (Manalapan, N.J./Freehold) at 125 pounds and freshman Nicholas Ciaccia (Freehold, N.J./Howell) at 133. Junior Zachary D'Apolito (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley Senior) added a technical fall at 174 pounds, senior Salvatore Montuori (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) had a major decision at 285, and the Royals were the beneficiary of five forfeits in the win.

Against NYU, the Royals got an early pin from DePierro at 125 for a 6-3 lead, but NYU ran off the next 16 points to take control. Senior Ian Evans (Laurys Station, Pa./Parkland) had his second win of the day with a 10-4 decision at 157 pounds, Daniel D'Agostini (Allentown, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) picked up his second win with a 13-9 decision at 184, and freshman Keegan Connelly (Schnecksville, Pa./Allentown Centeral Catholic) also improved to 2-0 with a 6-4 decision at 197.

With his two pins, DePierro is now 22-4 with a team-leading 10 pins this season. He has won 17 of his last 18 matches. Evans improved to 26-2 on the season and leads the team in victories. He is 116-20 for his career, nine wins shy of matching the school's all-time record for wins, held by Darren Buseman (1999-2003), who had 125 wins.

The Royals will have their first shot to tie the school's single-season record for wins when they host Muhlenberg on Tuesday, Jan. 24, on Senior Night in the Long Center at 7 p.m.

--ROYALS--