RESULTS

EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – Senior Joe Calderone and graduate student T.J. Fabian recorded pins at their respective weight classes, but the LIU Post wrestling team were taken down by East Stroudsburg University, 26-24, in the team's final tune-up before the NCAA Super Region 1 Championship.
 
The Pioneers fell behind 12-0 after forfeiting bouts at 125 and 133 but got on the board when Calderone pinned Francesco Palagruto just 92 seconds into the bout. The Warriors bounced back with a major decision victory at 149, taking a 16-6 lead nearing the midway point of the match. Trailing by 10 near the midway point of the match, Fabian pinned Christian Silva just before the end of the first period to pull the Green and Gold back within four points. The 165 weight class featured two of Super Region 1's top-ranked wrestlers, but it was top-ranked Mike Raccioppi earning a decision win against eighth-ranked senior Jackson Mordente to extend the Warrior lead back to seven points (19-12).
 
Two forfeits at 174 and 184 gave LIU Post a 24-19 advantage with two bouts remaining, but it was the final points the Pioneers scored the rest of the way. At 197, sophomore Jesse Weiner dropped a high-scoring bout with Dillon Warner, 18-10 as the Warriors made it a one-point match with one bout remaining. Despite leading in the final period, freshman Damian Caffrey fell victim to a late takedown by Hunter Marhan, and East Stroudsburg came from behind for the 26-24 victory.
 
The Pioneers will now turn their attention to NCAA Super Region 1 Championships at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown on Friday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 24.
 
LIU POST vs. EAST STROUDSBURG
125: Victor Lopez (ESU) FFT. vs. (LIUP) | LIUP 0, ESU 6
133: Peter Nace (ESU) FFT vs. (LIUP) | LIUP 0, ESU 12
141: Joe Calderone (LIUP) Fall vs. Francesco Palagruto (ESU) (1:32) | LIUP 6, ESU 12
149: Blake Cohen (ESU) Maj. Dec. vs. Daniel Espiniera (LIUP) (13-3) | LIUP 6, ESU 16
157: T.J. Fabian (LIUP) Fall vs. Christian Silva (ESU) (2:56) | LIUP 12, ESU 16
165: Mike Raccioppi (ESU) Dec. vs. Jackson Mordente (LIUP) (8-4) | LIUP 12, ESU 19
174: Dan Arkow (LIUP) FFT vs. (ESU) | LIUP 18, ESU 19
184: Dan McClure (LIUP) FFT vs. (ESU) | LIUP 24, ESU 19
197: Dillon Warner (ESU) Maj. Dec. vs. Jesse Weiner (LIUP) (18-10) | LIUP 24, ESU 23
285: Hunter Marhan (ESU) Dec. vs. Damian Caffrey (LIUP) (7-4) | LIUP 24, ESU 26
FINAL: EAST STROUDSBURG 26, LIU POST 24
 
Super Region 1 Rankings
141:  #3 - Calderone
149:  #7 – Cohen (ESU)
157:  #6 – Fabian
165:  #1 – Raccioppi (ESU), #8 – Mordente
174:  #3 – Arkow
184:  #6 - McClure
197:  #8 - Warmer (ESU)