HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Crimson won six of the dual meet's final seven matchups, including four bonus-point wins, as Harvard University wrestling rallied to defeat Hofstra University, 24-19, in an EIWA dual meet on Saturday afternoon at the David S. Mack Physical Education Center.
 
After dropping the meet's first three contests, the Crimson (2-5, 2-5 EIWA) rattled off five consecutive wins as the visitors claimed six of the final seven bouts against the host Pride (2-11, 1-5 EIWA) with a fall, three major decisions, and two decisions.
 
Senior Lukus Stricker – ranked No. 12 at 149 pounds in the NCAA RPI – recorded his third fall of the season while juniors Michael Jaffe and Trevor Tarsi and sophomore Joshua Kim – ranked No. 24 at 174 pounds in the NCAA RPI – all earned major decision victories. Juniors Beau Bayless and Dillon Murphy each posted shutouts in decisions.

Harvard Highlights

• Senior Lukus Stricker – ranked No. 12 at 149 pounds in the NCAA RPI – recorded his third fall of the season with a first-period pin in 1:57 against Mike Leandrou at 149 pounds. Stricker improved to 14-9 on the season and 5-2 in dual competition. He posted his eighth career fall and his third pin of the dual season.
• Junior Michael Jaffe gained the Crimson's first bonus-point win of the day with a 15-5 major decision over Justin Hoyle at 141 pounds. Jaffe took a 6-3 lead at the end of the first period with two takedowns and a reversal. Bringing a 6-4 lead into the final frame, Jaffe notched a pair of takedowns and then closed the match with a 4-point near fall and riding time point. Jaffe registered his eighth win of the season and third major decision.
• Junior Trevor Tarsi posted a 12-3 major decision victory over Joe McGinty at 157 pounds. Tarsi tallied a pair of takedowns in the first period to take a 4-2 lead at the end of one. He remained ahead 7-2 through two periods before notching two takedowns and a riding time point in the final frame. Tarsi registered his seventh win of the season and second major decision.
• Closing the match at 174 pounds, sophomore Joshua Kim – ranked No. 24 at 174 in the NCAA RPI – compiled an 18-5 major decision over Ericson Velasquez. Kim held leads of 2-1 at the end of the first period and 5-1 at the end of the second before tallying 13 points in the final frame. In the third period, Kim's point total included four takedowns, a four-point near fall, and a riding time point. Kim notched his 12^th win of the year and third major decision.
• Junior Beau Bayless earned a shutout 4-0 victory over Dylan Acevedo-Switzer at 125 pounds. Bayless scored a takedown in the first period, did not allow an escape in the second period, and added points for an escape and riding time in the final frame. Bayless tallied his 10^th win of the season.
• Junior Dillon Murphy captured a 3-0 shutout victory over Matt Templeton at 133 pounds, giving the Crimson back-to-back shutouts. Murphy notched a takedown in the second period and an escape in the second period on his way to his sixth win of the year.
• At 285 pounds, first-year Jeffrey Crooks challenged No. 18 Zachary Knighton-Ward before eventually dropping a 15-8 decision. Crooks scored a takedown alongside a 4-point near fall in the first period to take a 6-3 lead at the end of one and remained within 8-7 through two periods.
• Harvard improved to 12-10-1 all-time vs. Hofstra.

Dual Meet Results

Harvard 24, Hofstra 19
184: No. 33 Charles Small (HOF) def. Leo Tarantino (HARV), Injury Default 3:44 (Hofstra 6-0)
197: No. 33 Trey Rogers (HOF) vs. Luke Rada (HARV), Fall 1:30 (Hofstra 12-0)
285: No. 18 Zachary Knighton-Ward (HOF) def. Jeffrey Crooks (HARV), Dec. 15-8 (Hofstra 15-0)
125: Beau Bayless (HARV) def. Dylan Acevedo-Switzer (HOF), Dec. 4-0 (Hofstra 15-3)
133: Dillon Murphy (HARV) def. Matt Templeton (HOF), Dec. 3-0 (Hofstra 15-6)
141: Michael Jaffee (HARV) def. Justin Hoyle (HOF), MD 15-5 (Hofstra 15-10)
149: Lukus Stricker (HARV) def. Mike Leandrou (HOF), Fall 1:57 (Harvard 16-15)
157: Trevor Tarsi (HARV) def. Joe McGinty (HOF), MD 12-3 (Harvard 20-15)
165: Ricky Stamm (HOF) def. Alex Whitworth (HARV), MD 11-1 (Harvard 20-19)
174: Joshua Kim (HARV) def. Ericson Velasquez (HOF), MD 18-5 (Harvard 24-19)

Next Up

Closing the regular season, Harvard competes at Brown University on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7:00 p.m. (ESPN+) and hosts Binghamton University on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 11:00 a.m. (ESPN+).