Courtesy of goarmysports.com

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Four Black Knights won bouts, but it was not enough as the Army wrestling team dropped an 18-12 decision to Rider in a non-conference dual match Wednesday evening at Alumni Gymnasium.

It marked the third consecutive victory for the Broncs, who improve to 8-5 on the season. Rider won four of the first five bouts to open a healthy 12-3 cushion and never trailed en route to the win.

Senior Jordan Thome, junior John Belanger, sophomore Hunter Wood and freshman Bryce Barnes each recorded wins by decision for the Black Knights (4-5).

The match began at 165 pounds and 20th-ranked Ramon Santiago upended Army junior Paul Hancock, 7-4. Rider proceeded to win the next two bouts to establish a quick 9-0 lead.

Army began to cut into the Broncs’ advantage in the 197-pound bout as Barnes took a 12-8 decision from Ryan McNeil. Rider reclaimed its nine-point edge (12-3) with a victory in the heavyweight bout, but Army rallied to within 12-9 as Wood (125 pounds) and Thome (133) rattled off consecutive wins by decision.

Rider made it 15-9 following a victory at 141 pounds, but Army refused to go quietly, creeping to within 15-12 after Belanger slipped past Curt Delia, 6-5, at 149 pounds.

The Broncs sealed the match in the night’s final bout, however, when Zac Cibula defeated Army senior Patrick Marchetti, 4-1, at 157 pounds.

Army returns to the friendly confines of Gillis Field House on Sunday, Jan. 27, when the Black Knights host EIWA rivals Brown and Harvard beginning at 1 p.m.

Match Notes: Army falls to 12-13-1 all-time versus Rider … Bryce Barnes now ranks second on the team with 17 wins (17-13) … Paul Hancock dropped his first dual match of the year, falling to 8-1 in duals this season.

Rider 18, Army 12
125: Hunter Wood (A) dec. Patrick Skinner, 12-6
133: Jordan Thome (A) dec. Jimmy Morris, 5-1
141: Vinny Fava (R) dec. Tyler Rauenzahn, 6-1
149: John Belanger (A) dec. Curt Delia, 6-5
157: Zac Cibula (R) dec. Patrick Marchetti, 4-1
165: #20 Ramon Santiago (R) dec. Paul Hancock, 7-4
174: James Brundage (R) dec. Cole Gracey, 9-7
184: Ryan Wolfe (R) dec. Travis Mallo, 11-5
197: Bryce Barnes (A) dec. Donald McNeil, 12-8
285: Greg Velasco (R) dec. Stephen Snyder, 4-1
* The match began at 165 pounds