NEW YORK CITY – Redshirt senior Lou Mascola and freshman Wade Hodges earned back-to-back wins to lead the Maryland wrestling team past Hofstra, 24-13, at the Grapple at the Garden in Madison Square Garden Sunday afternoon.
The Terrapins (2-4, 0-1 Big Ten) finished the day on a high note with a comfortable win over the Pride. Hodges also won his match against Illinois lead Maryland.
Sophomore Jhared Simmons gave the Terps a 3-0 lead after a decision win at 125 pounds over Bryan Damon. After a scoreless opening period, Simmons easily reversed to nab a 2-0 lead in the second. A takedown in the final period punctuated a 5-0 win.
Hodges put together a spectacular performance that ended with a pin in the opening period. After controlling the action and securing a quick takedown, Hodges expertly turned Ryan Burkert on his back for the fall at 2:25.
At 157 pounds, Mascola started strong against Jahlani Callender, taking a 6-3 lead into the final period before holding on for an 8-6 win. Freshman Brendan Burnham put together another solid showing at 165, defeating Bobby Fehr, 4-2.
Redshirt freshman Garrett Wesneski used an escape in the third period to give Maryland a 24-9 lead after nine matches. The Terrapins also picked up a forfeit at 133 pounds while Alfred Bannister dropped a razor thin decision at 141 pounds to No. 16 Jamel Hudson.
Maryland faced Illinois in its first dual of the day and fell, 34-9. Hodges and fellow true freshman Jaron Smith picked up the victories for the Terps.
Simmons started the contest and fell 8-6 after a late takedown from Francis Edelen. Bannister dropped a close 3-2 decision to Brock Ervin in a match that saw the redshirt freshman control most of the action on the feet.
Hodges got the Terps on the board against No. 19 Kyle Langenderfer. After an uneventful first period, Hodges started the second period on top and built up 1:50 of riding time, while also earning a stall point. Hodges escaped at the beginning of the third period and stayed on his feet till the finish to earn the riding time point and the match, 3-1.
Smith made his dual-match debut at 184 pounds and stunned No. 18 Jeff Koepke with a pin in the second period. After a competitive opening frame, Smith took advantage of a Koepke mistake and turned it into a flash pin at 3:22.
Freshman Youssif Hemida also made his debut at heavyweight and wrestled well in a 6-1 loss to No. 14 Brooks Black.
Maryland returns to action at home on Saturday against Drexel. Action is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., at the XFINITY Center.
Maryland 24, Hofstra 13
125: Jhared Simmons (MD) decision over Byran Damon (HOF), 5-0 (3-0)
133: Tyler Goodwin (MD) wins by forfeit, (9-0)
141: No. 16 Jamel Hudson (HOF) decision over Alfred Bannister, 6-3 (9-3)
149: Wade Hodges (MD) fall over Ryan Burkert (HOF), 2:25 (15-3)
157: Lou Mascola (MD) decision over Jahlani Callender (HOF), 8-6 (18-3)
165: Brendan Burnham (MD) decision over Bobby Fehr (HOF), 4-2 (21-3)
174: Frank Affronti (HOF) decision over Josh Snook (MD), 4-0 (21-6)
184: Jermaine John (HOF) decision over Jaron Smith (MD), 6-4 (21-9)
197: Garrett Wesneski (MD) decision over Omar Haddad (HOF), 1-0 (24-9)
285: Mike Hughes (HOF) major decision over Youssif Hemida (MD), 8-0 (24-13)
Illinois 34, Maryland 9
125: Francis Edelen (ILL) decision over Jhared Simmons (MD), 8-6 (0-3)
133: Zane Richards (ILL) fall over Tyler Goodwin (MD), 4:20 (0-9)
141: Brock Ervin (ILL) decision over Alfred Bannister (MD), 3-2 (0-12)
149: Wade Hodges (MD) decision over Kyle Langenderfer (ILL), 3-1 (3-12)
157: Isaiah Martinez (ILL) tech fall over Lou Mascola (MD), 24-5 (3-17)
165: Steven Rodrigues (ILL) decision over Brendan Burnham (MD), 13-8 (3-20)
174: Zach Brunson (ILL) fall over Josh Snook (MD), 3:22 (3-26)
184: Jaron Smith (MD) fall over Jeff Koepke (ILL), 4:14 (9-26)
197: Andre Lee (ILL) tech fall over Sean Twigg (MD), 18-3 (9-31)
285: Brooks Black (ILL) decision over Youssif Hemida (MD), 6-1 (9-34)
