Tapia, Kluever Score Victories; Hofstra Falls At No. 1 Penn State

12/10/2023 4:33:00 PM

By: Len Skoros

University Park, PA - Graduate Keaton Kluever won by fall at 285 pounds and freshman Noah Tapia scored a major decision victory at 149 pounds but Hofstra dropped a 43-10 decision to top-ranked Penn State before a sold-out crowd at Rec Hall Sunday afternoon. The Pride slipped to 0-2 in dual matches this season, while the Nittany Lions improved to 2-0.

Starting at 125 pounds, Penn State scored a major decision and two tech falls to jump out to a 14-0 lead leading into the 149 pound bout featuring Tapia and Conor Pierce of Penn State, who was making his dual match debut. Tapia had a first period takedown and added three back points to lead 6-0 after one period. He would add an escape and a takedown in the second period and led, 10-1, after five minutes. Piece added a third period escape but Tapia had the riding time point for the 11-2 major decision.

Penn State scored four wins by fall and a tech fall in the next five matches as it ran out three top-ranked, one second ranked and the 14th-ranked wrestlers in the nations at the 157-pound through 197-pound weight classes. The string of bonus point victories gave Penn State a 43-4 lead going into the final match at 285 pounds.

Kluever, who is ranked No. 21 in the nation, took on AJ Fricchione, who was making his first appearance for the Nittany Lions. Kluever had two takedowns in the first period and led by a 6-2 score. Choosing neutral to start the second period, Kluever took Fricchione down again and got the pin at the 4:32 mark.

Hofstra will be off for final exams until December 20 when the Pride returns to action with a pair of duals at Morgan State. The Pride will face the hosts at 2 p.m. and then face Bloomsburg at 4 p.m.

Notes:
-Hofstra is 2-6 all-time versus Penn State
-The Pride is 1-3 all-time against No. 1 ranked teams.
-Tapia earned his fourth win of the season and first dual victory.
-Kluever is now 4-1 overall and 1-1 in duals.

#1 Penn State 43, Hofstra 10
125: Braeden Davis (PSU) maj. dec. Dylan Acevedo (HOF), 11-2 (4-0)
133: #4 Aaron Nagao (PSU) tech fall Ryan Arbeit (HOF), 21-6 (4:20) (9-0)
141: David Evans (PSU) tech fall Alex Turley (HOF), 19-4 (6:13) (14-0)
149: Noah Tapia (HOF) maj. dec. Connor Pierce (PSU), 11-2 (14-4)
157: #1 Levi Haines (PSU) wbf. Dylan Zenion (HOF), 1:02 (20-4)
165: #14 Mitchell Mesenbrink (PSU) wbf. Matthew Waddell (HOF), 1:24 (26-4)
174: #1 Carter Starocci (PSU) tech fall Eric Shindel (HOF), 19-3 (5:38) (31-4)
184: #2 Bernie Truax (PSU) wbf. Will Conlon (HOF), 1:51 (37-4)
197: #1 Aaron Brooks (PSU) wbf. Nikolas Miller (HOF), 4:22 (43-4)
285: #21 Keaton Kluever (HOF) wbf. AJ Fricchione (PSU), 4:32 (43-10)

Attendance: 6,589

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