Wrestling Bears Edge Western New England, 24-21

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University wrestling team edged Western New England University, 24-21, on Saturday afternoon at the Tinsley Center.

With the dual meet victory, Bridgewater State improves to 2-8 on the season, while Western New England falls to 1-1.

Trailing 12-3 early in the match (which started at the 149 weight class), the Bears reeled off five straight victories highlighted by a win by fall at 184 by senior Michael Fenner (Bergenfield, N.J.). The Fenner pin tied the score at 12-12.

Back-to-back 3-1 decisions by sophomore 197-pounder TJ Vallee (Augusta, Maine) and sophomore heavyweight Ricky Caruso (Waltham, Mass.) gave Bridgewater an 18-12 advantage. Caruso, ranked fifth in the heavyweight class in the New England Wrestling Association, knocked off second ranked Jamison Sacco (Syracuse, N.Y.).

The Bears picked up a forfeit win at 125 to increase their lead to 24-12. Western New England won the final two bouts of the day with an 11-5 decision by junior Rob Ferrante (Shelton, Conn.) at 133 and a win by fall by junior Anthony Medina (Springfield, Mass.) at 141. Ferrante, who entered the match ranked sixth in New England, defeated eighth ranked Ken Francis (New Bedford, Mass.).

Bridgewater State returns to the mat next Saturday when they entertain Norwich University at 3:00 PM. Western New England travels to New London, Connecticut on Saturday to take on WPI and host Coast Guard Academy starting at noon.