Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra Pride began the new year with a close defeat against visiting Bucknell, 21-15, in the first home match of the season Saturday afternoon from inside the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

Hofstra slips to 2-7 overall on the season and 1-2 in the EIWA with today's loss, and Bucknell improves to 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the conference after today's win and a 29-10 victory over LIU earlier this afternoon.

The Pride fell behind early with a pair of losses by decision at 125 and 133 pounds before Justin Hoyle earned a hard-fought 8-6 decision win over Noah Levett. The Bison rebounded with a win by pin at 149 pounds and decision win at 157 pounds to up the score to 15-3. Ricky Stamm picked up his eighth win of the season with a 7-3 decision over Matt Kidwell at 165.

After an injury default at 174 pounds for Bucknell, the Pride won the final three bouts of the match. Charles Small won by 8-2 decision over Logan Deacetis at 184, Trey Rogers grinded out a 3-2 win over Mason McCready at 197, and Zachary Knighton-Ward bullied Luke Niemeyer for a 6-2 decision at 285.

The Pride's January home stand continues with a weekend doubleheader. Hofstra will face Buffalo in non-conference action on Saturday, January 15, at 1 p.m. before hosting Navy on Sunday, January 16, at 4 p.m. in EIWA action.

NOTES:
-Hofstra is now 5-20 all-time against Bucknell. Today's dual was the first meeting between the two programs since January 2019, and it was only the fourth time since 2000 that Hofstra and Bucknell competed in a dual against one another.
-Trey Rogers won his 50th career match, joining Ricky Stamm as the second active wrestler on the Hofstra roster with 50 or more career wins.
-With his decision win over Luke Niemeyer, Zachary Knighton-Ward earned his 10th win of the season. Including his redshirt 2018-19 season, he has won at least 10 matches in a season three times.

Bucknell 21, Hofstra 15
125: Brandon Seidman (Bucknell) dec. Jacob Moon (Hofstra), 3-1 (SV-1)
133: Kurt Phipps (Bucknell) dec. Ty Cymmerman (Hofstra), 4-2
141: Justin Hoyle (Hofstra) dec. Noah Levett (Bucknell), 8-6
149: Kolby DePron (Bucknell) WBF Michael Leandrou (Hofstra), 2:20
157: Nick Delp (Bucknell) dec. Joe McGinty (Hofstra), 5-1
165: Ricky Stamm (Hofstra) dec. Matt Kidwell (Bucknell), 7-3
174: Sam Barnes (Bucknell) inj. default Ross McFarland (Hofstra), 6:13
184: #27 Charles Small (Hofstra) dec. Logan Deacetis (Bucknell), 8-2
197: Trey Rogers (Hofstra) dec. Mason McCready (Bucknell), 3-2
285: #19 Zachary Knighton-Ward (Hofstra) dec. Luke Niemeyer (Bucknell), 6-2
 
Extra Match
125: Aiden Lewis (Bucknell) dec. Dylan Acevedo-Switzer (Hofstra), 7-2