PRINCETON, N.J. — Despite taking four matches against the defending Ivy League champions, Columbia Wrestling (1-4, 1-2 EIWA, 0-1 IVY) fell at Princeton (2-2, 1-0 EIWA, 1-0 IVY), 27-12, in its Ivy League opener on Saturday afternoon at Dillon Gymnasium.
 
Columbia got wins on the day from Angelo Rini (133), No. 18 Matt Kazimir (141), Dominic Rossetti (149) and Nick Fine (174), but a lack of bonus points from the four wins cost the Lions a shot at taking the win.  And despite the Lions only being behind by two points with three bouts left, the "Nation's Oldest Program" could not get a win over those final three matches, allowing for Princeton to finish off the win.

"We had some good results at a few weights, but following the previous weekend where we had solid performances, I feel as though we have started to hold ourselves to a higher standard," said Andrew F. Barth Head Coach of Wrestling Zach Tanelli.  "We had a few chances to meet that standard, but we just didn't capitalize on them today.

"It's a short turnaround with a tough matchup at Penn, but it's another opportunity to get back on the mat.  Our staff and team are excited to get a chance to get back at it tomorrow and we are ready to use that as a chance to meet our own standards and take another step in the right direction."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: The match opened at 125 pounds, where No. 18 Joe Manchio faced off with No. 2 Patrick Glory.  The top ranked Tiger would come out of the gate aggressively and take the match via technical fall, 17-2, giving Princeton a quick 5-0 lead in the match.
 
At 133 pounds, Columbia fired back as Rini once again showed off his cardiac skills, trailing 6-7 late to Nick Kayal the Lion junior went to work.  With the underhook locked in, Rini flipped Kayal to his back, nearly picking up the win via fall, but he would only lock up back points and as the buzzer sounded, he had locked up a 13-7 win via decision.
 
The score now sat at 5-3, and the Lions would take the lead following the bout at 141 pounds.  Kazimir found himself in a defensive showdown against Danny Coles, Kazimir's experience would win him the day as he battled to a 1-0 win via decision, pushing the score to 6-5 in Columbia's favor.
 
Looking to make it three straight, the longest match of the day got underway at 149 pounds, where Rossetti would need a late escape in the third overtime period to get the Lions another win.  Rossetti got that escape against Marshall Keller early in the third overtime period, and coupled with his ridding time, was enough to give him a 5-4 win via decision, and for Columbia it meant a 9-5 lead in the match.
 
The next two bouts would go Princeton's way, and the Tigers would get big bonus points at 157 pounds when No. 11 Quincy Monday beat Andrew Garr via fall, 4:11, putting Princeton back in the lead at 11-9.  The bout at 165 pounds also went the way of the Tigers, but Columbia's Connor Kievman put up a fight down the stretch, holding off Blaine Bergey's late attempts at getting bonus points, and Kievman's hard work meant that the final was only a decision, 11-5.
 
Princeton now led 14-9, but at 174 pounds the Lions would get back in the win column with a strong victory from Fine.  Fine controlled the action from the start, and his solid performance gave him a 6-0 win via decision over Nate Dugan.  Unfortunately for the Lions, this would be the last win as Columbia dropped the final three matches of the meet.
 
At 184 pounds, No. 21 Travis Stefanik worked a 7-2 decision over Brian Bonino and at 197 pounds the Tigers would wrap up the match.  Leading 17-12, following the win at 184 pounds, Princeton's No. 17 Luke Stout took a win via fall (5:45) over Sam Wustefeld, giving Princeton a 23-12 lead, and locking up the overall match.
 
With the score decided, the final bout was contested, and Princeton would get one final win, as Matt Cover beat Danny Conley via major decision, 8-0, giving Princeton the 27-12 win.
 
PRINCETON 27, COLUMBIA 12
Princeton, N.J. (Dillon Gymnasium)
 
125 | No. 2 Patrick Glory (PRI) def. No. 18 Joe Manchio (COL) TF 17-2
133 | Angelo Rini (COL) def. Nick Kayal (PRI) dec. 13-7
141 | No. 18 Matt Kazimir (COL) def. Danny Coles (PRI) dec. 1-0
149 | Dominic Rossetti (COL) def. Marshall Keller (PRI) OT3 5-4
157 | No. 11 Quincy Monday (PRI) def. Andrew Garr (COL) F (4:11)
165 | Blaine Bergey (PRI) def. Connor Kievman (COL) dec. 11-5
174 | Nick Fine (COL) def. Nate Dugan (PRI) dec. 6-0
184 | No. 21 Travis Stefanik (PRI) def. Brian Bonino (COL) dec. 7-2
197 | No. 17 Luke Stout (PRI) def. Sam Wustefeld (COL) F (5:45)
285 | Matt Cover (PRI) def. Danny Conley (COL) maj dec. 8-0

EXHIBITION:
141 | Danny Coles (PRI) def. Mason Clarke (COL) F
149 | Matt Arciuolo (COL) def. Marshall Keller (PRI) dec. 6-5
174 | Aaron Ayzerov (COL) def. Nate Dugan (PRI) dec. 8-3
184 | No. 21 Travis Stefanik (PRI) def. Jack McGill (COL) dec. 3-2
 
NEXT UP: Columbia remains on the road, as they head to No. 23 Penn for another Ivy League battle on Sunday, Jan. 23.  That match, at The Palestra, is set to get going at 1 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
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