#21 Hofstra/Drexel Preview (UPDATED W/RESULTS)
165 
The Matchup: #20 Ryan Patrovich (HU) vs. Scott Hunter (Drexel)
Synopsis: A battle of the #2 and #4 ranked wrestlers in the conference, Patrovich have to be considered a sizeable favorite against the 9-17 Hunter. While Patrovich has yet to really break out on the offensive end, his steady defense and above average riding ability should give the Dragon seniors fits. The RS sophomore from Bohemia, NY may very well challenge for bonus points in this bout. However, considering the dual meet may already be well in hand, the HU staff may use this opportunity to allow Patrovich to work on some things. For Hunter, this bout will be an opportunity to see how he shapes up with the CAA tournament only a little more than a month away. I expect Patrovich to come out hard early, open up a significant margin, and then coast to victory. Like the majority of matches in this dual, 165 may very well be a slam dunk for the #20 wrestler in the country.
Prediction: Patrovich Wins by Decision
Projected Team Score: 23-0 Hofstra
Result: Patrovich (HU) WTF Hunter (DU) 7:00
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174 
The Matchup: #10 Alton Lucas (HU) vs. Dave Woodall (Drexel)
Synopsis: On paper, this bout has all of the makings of a one-sided bonus point victory for the Pride senior. However, those of us who have watched Alton these past four years know that despite his obvious physical advantages, he in all likelihood will wrestle the first three minutes of the bout with a lot of aggression, compile a fairly descent sized lead in the neighborhood of 6-1 or 6-2, and then shutdown for the next four minutes….Woodall comes into the dual as one of the few wrestlers with a winning or .500 record on the Dragon roster. However, under normal circumstances, he is not even the starter. However, with Bill Stouffer out of the lineup, the responsibility will fall on Woodall’s shoulders to make a good showing of himself. Woodall’s brother are former wrestlers at Penn State. Therefore, he certainly has the pedigree to develop over the next two years. At this point in their respective careers, 174 really should be a spot where the Pride can cement away bonus points. However, as I stated earlier, Lucas’s inability or unwillingness to go hard for the full seven minutes probably result in the Dragon sophomore getting off easy…Before getting injured, expected starter, Stouffer, was sporting a 10-10 overall record (4-7 in duals). Therefore, despite being ranked 6th in the CAA, it is unlikely he would fare any better against the top-10 wrestler from West Babylon.
Prediction: Alton Wins by Decision
Projected Team Score: 26-0 Hofstra
Result: Lucas (HU) Dec Woodall (DU), 10-4
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184 
The Matchup: Ben Clymer (HU) vs. Ben Wieller (Drexel)
Synopsis: If not for the possible showdown at 197, this would be the bout that would considered the featured match of thea afternoon. Pitting the #3 ranked wrestler in the conference (Clymer) against #5 Wieller, this bout should prove to be the first one (outside of 149) that the host school has a realistic chance of winning. Listed on the Drexel roster as a 197-pounder, once should figure that Wieller will be the bigger of the two wrestlers. If this is the case, the sophomore out of the always strong Northampton program should look to muscle the true freshman (who wrestled 171 last year as a high school senior). While just a pinch below .500 in 2008/2009, Wieller has shown an ability to hold his own against top competition, as evident by his 6-0 loss to top-10 wrestler, David Craig and his 6-0 loss to top-20 wrestler, Riley Orozco (Cal Bakersfield)….Clymer has been extremely steady in his true freshman campaign, holding a 3-2 record in conference with both losses coming by modest margins against top-10 wrestlers, Doug Umbehauer (Rider) and Josh Patterson (Binghamton). While significantly improved on his feet, Clymer does his best work while on the mat. Whenever he gets on top, look for him to work hard and try to open the match with tilts. If Clymer is unable to get nearfall points against his opponent, expect for him to win a close 3-2 or 4-3 type decision. It would not surprise me if the riding point ends up playing a big part in deciding the outcome of this bout.
Prediction: Clymer Wins by Decision
Projected Team Score: 29-0 Hofstra
Result: Clymer (HU) Dec Wieller (DU), 3-1
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197 
The Matchup: Joe Fagiano (HU) vs. #12 Jon Oplinger (Drexel)
Synopsis: If Fagiano is the one that goes at 197 for the Pride, this match has the potential to be a preview of what could be a high stakes rematch at the CAA tournament. Having missed the CAA Duals while serving a “suspension,” Fagiano remains unranked in the Colonial. A win here would be the perfect way to announce that he is back. Plus, should the transfer from Indiana be able to get his hand raised, he should automatically move into no lower than the #4 spot when the new conference rankings are released. Before being exiled back to his home in Illinois, Fagiano had compiled an overall record of 13-4, good enough for a national ranking in the 17-20 range…Oplinger, who redshirted in 2007/2008 has been by far the most valuable wrestler for Coach Childs. Sporting an overall record of 23-3, the # ranked wrestler in the conference will be looking to recover from an upset loss at the hands of Boston University’s John Hall. A win over the highly regarded Pride sophomore would be an ideal way to prove that he is still very much in the hunt for the hardware in a somewhat stacked 197-pound class in the Colonial. Regardless of who is the one to get his hand raised, you should expect that this bout will be extremely close. Knowing that Fagiano has been away from his team for the last month, it would not surprise me to see Drexel’s only nationally ranked wrestler to set a quick pace and continue to lean on Fagiano in the hopes of getting him gassed….If either Tortora, Piscitello, or any other possible Pride wrestler competes at this weight, I am calling for a bonus point victory for the Dragon senior….Note: With a victory this afternoon, Oplinger will reach the century mark in his career.
Prediction: Oplinger Wins by Decision
Projected Team Score: 29-3 Hofstra
Result: Oplinger (DU) MD Tortora (HU), 16-8
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285 
The Matchup: Jordan Enck (HU) vs. Kyle Frey (Drexel)
Synopsis: When writing the preview for the HU/UPenn match, I mentioned that Enck has had his best success this season when pitted against smaller sized heavyweights. Frey, listed on the current roster as a 197-pounder certainly would fit into this category. With one ranked right above the other (Enck #3; Frey #4), the winner of this bout will likely be able to avoid a semifinals matchup with returning CAA Champion, Ed Bordas. In a tournament where the team race may go down to the wire, a better draw could make a difference (especially for the Pride). On paper, Frey had compiled a much more impressive record, going 20-11 vs. Enck’s 14-13. However, the level of competition these two youngsters have faced, may make this stat misleading. Enck has been wearing a knee brace of late, which potentially may cost him a step or two. However, even with the injury, I would expect the 2008 PA AAA State Champion to have the advantage in overall athleticism. Look for Enck to create space and then shoot low singles. A polished rider for a big man, Enck should also be considered a threat to hook something up while on top.
Prediction: Enck Wins by Decision
Projected Final Team Score: 32-3 Hofstra
Result: Frey (DU) Dec Enck (HU), 5-1
Final Team Score: Hofstra-30; Drexel-10
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