NEW YORK – The Columbia wrestling team picked up three victories over 10 bouts today in a 23-12 loss to Binghamton.
 
After today's result, the Lions sit at 4-3 in dual matches, with next weekend off.
 
In a bout that began at 165 pounds, the road team got off to a fast start, winning the first five matches. The Bearcats led 10-0 going into the 197 pound match, when Alex Melikian picked up a 3-2 decision over Sam Wustefeld to make it 13-0 in the team scoring. Binghamton won by the same score at heavyweight, as Joe Doyle nabbed the close decision against Dan Herman.
 
The Lions were able to win their first match of the day when the dual moved to 125 pounds, as Joe Manchio used a big third period for the win. With the match tied 2-2 and Steven Bulzomi having the riding time point locked, the first-year scored a takedown and a four-point nearfall in the closing moments to secure an 8-3 victory.
 
"There was a bunch of people out here in our home crowd so it was pretty exciting to get the win in front of the fans and get the team motivated in the next couple of matches," said Manchio.
 
After the Bearcats battled back with a major decision at 133 and three more points at 141, Cole Corrigan got three points back in similar style to Manchio. Against Frankie Garcia at 149, the match was scoreless after the first period, as Corrigan got the riding clock to two minutes in his favor after a tough ride in the 2nd. Garcia had a strong ride of his own in the third, before Corrigan got to his feet and reversed Garcia with under 20 seconds remaining, putting him on his back, leading to the 6-2 victory.
 
During the finale at 157 pounds, Dan Reed trailed Dylan Wood at the offset, as the Binghamton wrestler scored the first takedown of the match which was followed by a lengthy review. After he started on top in the second, Reed loaded up on riding time then turned Wood, first getting a count and then getting the pin with 12 seconds remaining in the third.
 
The Lions are back in action at home on Saturday, Feb. 2, with Hofstra entering the Blue Gym for a noon dual.
 
Binghamton 23, Columbia 12
165 – Aidan Monteverdi Dec. Laurence Kosoy, 11-7 (3-0, Binghamton)
174 – Vincent DePrez Dec. Max Elling, 6-3 (6-0, Binghamton)
184 – Lou DePrez MD Joe Franzese, 12-2 (10-0, Binghamton)
197 – Alex Melikian Dec. Sam Wustefeld, 3-2 (13-0, Binghamton)
HWT – Joe Doyle Dec. Dan Herman, 3-2 (16-0, Binghamton)
125 – Joe Manchio Dec. Steven Bulzomi, 8-3 (16-3, Binghamton)
133 – Zach Trampe MD Spencer Good, 20-6 (20-3, Binghamton)
141 – Anthony Sparacio Dec. Danny Fongaro, 8-1 (23-3, Binghamton)
149 – Cole Corrigan Dec. Frankie Garcia, 6-2 (23-6, Binghamton)
157 – Dan Reed FALL (4:48) Dylan Wood (23-12, Binghamton)