Results
The University of Scranton wrestling team apparently has no fear of the number 13. On Tuesday night in the team's first shot at matching the program's single-season record for wins, the Royals dominated from the start to roll to a 30-13 win over Muhlenberg on Senior Night to improve to 13-1 on the season.
The win matches the most in a single season in the program's 49-year history. The Royals also won 13 matches in the 1980-81 season, in which they finished 13-4. This year's team will have its first shot to set the record on Sunday, Feb. 29, when it travels to Williamsport, Pa. to face Pennsylvania College of Technology at noon.
Scranton won six of the 10 matches on Tuesday night, including back-to-back pins to start the match from junior Nicholas DePierro (Manalapan, N.J./Freehold) and Nicholas Ciaccia (Freehold, N.J./Howell). DePierro made quick work of his opponent at 125 pounds, earning the pin in 1:42. It was his team-leading 11th pin of the season and moved his record to 23-4 overall and 13-1 in dual matches. Ciaccia clamped his opponent at 133 pounds in 2:22, his ninth pin of the season, second-best on the team, and 15th win of the year.
Muhlenberg (9-8) fought back with a major decision and a decision in the next two matches to move within 12-7, but Scranton's lone honoree on Senior Night stopped the Mules' momentum in its tracks at 157 pounds. Wrestling his final match in the Long Center, Ian Evans (Laurys Station, Pa./Parkland) dominated en route to a 9-0 major decision to extend the Royals' lead to 16-7. It was his 27th win of the season and 15th straight, and he now has 117 career wins, eight shy of tying the school's all-time career record. Twenty-eight of those victories have come in the Long Center.
The Mules stayed alive with a decision at 165 pounds, but junior Zachary D'Apolito (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley Senior) answered with a major decision (11-1) at 174 pounds for a 20-10 lead. The Royals then clinched the match when sophomore Daniel D'Agostini (Allentown, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) won by forfeit at 184 pounds.
Senior Salvatore Montuori (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) added a major decision, 11-3, at 285 pounds to finish the night.
Prior to the match, the Royals honored Evans for his outstanding career. The team also recognized Montuori, who was honored on Senior Night last season, but returned this season as a graduate student to complete his athletic eligibility, as well as student assistant coach John Riccardi, who has been a part of the coaching staff for the past three seasons after completing his eligibility on the mat.
--ROYALS--
