Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey wrestling team made its Packer Hall debut on Tuesday a winning one as the 21^st-ranked Lions pulled away from visiting King's College, 27-10.
 
This was the only home date in the first part of the season for the Lions (2-0) as they now have to wait until the calendar changes over to 2013 before competing on their home mat again.
 
The Lions made sure they got the home slate off to a fast start taking the initial lead when Joey DiCarlo (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) collected a 16-11 win at 125. Teammate Steven Churchill (Newton, NJ/Newton) followed that with a 7-4 victory at 133 putting the hosts to an early 6-0 advantage.
 
The Monarchs (0-5) cut that margin in half at 141 as DeMarquis Holley (Allentown, PA/Allentown Dieruff) posted a 7-2 triumph. King's then tied the match thanks to a 7-0 decision by Christian Mazzocchi (Madison, NJ/Madison) at 149.
 
Freshman Antonio Mancella (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) put the Lions back in front for good with a pin in 1:18 at 157, while fourth-ranked John Darling (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) scored five late points to pull out a 12-8 decision at 165 to add to the lead. Those wins bumped TCNJ's advantage to 15-6.
 
The wins continued for TCNJ at 174 when junior Zach Zotollo (Paramus, NJ/Paramus) rallied for a 10-7 victory thanks to a takedown and three back points in the waning moments of the match.
 
Third-ranked Brian Broderick (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) picked up the fourth straight win for the Lions at 184, securing a 19-4 technical fall win. Senior Dan Brill (Livingston, NJ/Livingston) kept things rolling at 197 posting an 11-2 win.
 
Ninth-ranked Peter Dwyer (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon) notched the final win of the match for King's claiming a 14-5 major decision at heavyweight.
 
TCNJ closes out the opening semester of competition on Saturday competing at the New Standard Invitational hosted by York (PA) College, while the Monarchs head to the Rochester Institute of Technology Invitational.
 
Match Note: Prior to the match, Mike Denver (Bayville, NJ/Central Regional) was presented with his national championship ring after winning the 184-pound weight class at the 2012 NCAA Division III Championships. Denver was the program's 21^st national champion and is on record as the program's all-time leader in wins with 143.
 
#21 The College of New Jersey 27, King's College 10
125 – Joey DiCarlo (T) dec. Jamie Scarantino (K), 16-11 (3-0)
133 – Steven Churchill (T) dec. Aaron Perez (K), 7-4 (6-0)
141 – DeMarquis Holley (K) dec. Steve Schneider (T) 7-2 (6-3)
149 – Christian Mazzocchi (K) dec. Derek Zehnbauer (T), 7-0 (6-6)
157 – Antonio Mancella (T) pinned Gordon Custer (K) in 1:18 (12-6)
165 – #4 John Darling (T) dec. Tommy Desir (K), 12-8 (15-6)
174 – Zach Zotollo (T) dec. Shane Stark (K), 10-7 (18-6)
184 – #3Brian Broderick (T) tech. fall over Steven Radzwilla (K), 19-4, 5:19 (23-6)
197 – Dan Brill (T) major dec. Ryan Longenberger (K), 11-2 (27-6)
285 – #9 Peter Dwyer (K) major dec. Jeff Furbish (T), 14-5 (27-10)