Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Pittsburgh
Petrov, Smith and Stolfi Post Wins in Wrestling's Season-Opening Loss at Pittsburgh
11/8/2014 9:26:00 PM | Wrestling
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Bucknell wrestling team opened its 2014-15 season Saturday evening at Pittsburgh's Fitzgerald Fieldhouse and lost to the No. 14 Panthers by a 22-11 margin. Junior Paul Petrov (125 pounds), freshman Tyler Smith (141) and senior Joe Stolfi (285) posted wins for the Bison.
Pittsburgh (3-0) had already wrestled two duals in the past week and had three nationally ranked grapplers in its lineup. Bucknell (0-1) had two nationally ranked grapplers in No. 20 Petrov and No. 13 Stolfi.
The young Bison lineup featured three freshmen wrestling their first career dual match and two sophomores.
Bucknell jumped out to an early 8-3 advantage in the team score as Petrov posted an 8-6 decision at 125 pounds and Smith followed with a dominating 18-3 tech fall at 141. It was the Bison's only bonus-point win of the night, and one of just two overall in the match.
The Panthers then won the next six bouts, including three by nationally ranked wresters No. 16 Mikey Racciato (149), No. 5 Max Thomusseit (184) and No. 7 Nick Bonaccorsi (197) to build a 22-8 advantage.
Stolfi concluded the match with a 7-2 win over John Rizzo at 285. It was his 68th career victory, the most among current Bison.
Bucknell will be idle until Nov. 22 when it makes its annual trek to the Navy Classic. The Bison's next dual match is their home opener Dec. 20 against Virginia in Davis Gym.
No. 14 Pittsburgh 22, Bucknell 11
125: No. 20 Paul Petrov (B) dec. Dom Forys (P), 8-6.
133: Nick Zanetta (P) dec. Zach Valley (B), 5-1.
141: Tyler Smith (B) tech fall Ben Ross (P), 18-3.
149: No. 16 Mikey Racciato (P) dec. Victor Lopez (B), 6-4.
157: Ronnie Garbinsky (P) dec. Rustin Barrick (B), 7-6.
165: Cody Wiercioch (P) dec. Robert Schlitt (B), 12-5.
174: Troy Reaghard (P) dec. Joey Krulock (B), 6-2.
184: No. 5 Max Thomusseit (P) maj. dec. Tom Sleigh (B), 18-6.
197: No. 7 Nick Bonaccorsi (P) dec. Tyler Lyster (B), 5-1.
285: No. 13 Joe Stolfi (B) dec. John Rizzo (P), 7-2.
Players Mentioned
