JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Cortland wrestling team earned bonus points in all five of its victories and the Red Dragons defeated host New Jersey City University, 27-24, to improve to 5-1 on the season.
 
Three of Cortland's wins came by pin, one by technical fall and one by major decision to account for the Red Dragons' 27 points. NJCU (3-12) finished the night with three pins and two regular decisions for its five wins.
 
Ben Klei (Victor) opened the match at 285 pounds with a pin in 1:38. NJCU tied the match after a pin by Damienlee in 2:03 at 125 pounds, and the Gothic Knights took their lone lead of the evening when Andre Ruiz won, 9-6, at 133 pounds. Cortland scored 11 points over its next two matches to take a 17-9 lead. Ryan Burgbacher (Medford/Patchogue-Medford) pinned his opponent in just 22 seconds at 141 pounds and Chandler Merwin (Walton) won by a 16-0 technical fall in 4:02 at 149 pounds.
 
NJCU closed to within 17-15 after a pin from Jeff Johnson at 157 pounds, but Cortland responded when Steven Gazzillo (New Windsor/Cornwall) registered a pin in 4:54 at 165 pounds. The hosts earned an 8-2 decision from Shane Lallkissoon at 174 pounds to cut Cortland's lead to 23-18 with two matches left. Cortland clinched the team victory when Brian Torres (Brooklyn/Grand Street Campus) recorded an 11-1 major decision at 184 pounds. NJCU's Kyle Hillremeier posted a pin at 197 pounds to create the final three-point margin.
 
Cortland will host Oswego on Saturday, Feb. 12, at noon.
 
Cortland 27, New Jersey City 24

285 – Ben Klei (CORT) pinned Jace Macfie, 1:38
125 - Damienlee Torres (NJCU) pinned Richard Munoz, 2:03
133 - Andre Ruiz (NJCU) dec. J.C. Cardenas, 9-6
141 - Ryan Burgbacher (CORT) pinned Jon Mejia, 0:22
149 - Chandler Merwin (CORT) tech. fall Mike Cross, 4:02 (16-0)
157 - Jeff Johnson (NJCU) pinned Markel Browne, 5:32
165 - Steven Gazzillo (CORT) pinned Matthew Armamento, 4:54
174 - Shane Lallkissoon (NJCU) dec. Chris Angelone, 8-2
184 - Brian Torres (CORT) major dec. Jaydin Mahon, 11-1
197 - Kyle Hillremeier (NJCU) pinned Roman Jellick, 2:38
 
Exhibition Matches:

133 - George Rivera (NJCU) dec. Tyler Bisono, 9-8
141 - Joey Powers (CORT) dec. Dom Merola, 9-2
149 - Michael Barker (CORT) major dec. Abdul Ibraheem, 21-7
157 - Jake Sisk (NJCU) dec. Dylan Howell, 8-3
165 - Ty Bailey (NJCU) pinned James Udasco, 5:49
141 - Dom Merola (NJCU) pinned Ryan Holt, 3:43
149 - Abdul Ibraheem (NJCU) pinned Noah Orser, 1:24
157 - Kyle Klein (CORT) won by injury default vs. Jake Sisk, 4:08
197 - Chris Bold (CORT) pinned Jace Macfie, 4:23
 
Records after match: Cortland (Red Dragons) 5-1; NJCU (Gothic Knights) 3-12