Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Rutgers
Players Mentioned
Despite Another Freshman Win, Wrestling Falls To In-State Rival Rutgers
December 13, 2006 | Wrestling
An overtime victory by freshman Nikhil Pereira gave the Princeton wrestling team an early lead, but the host Rutgers Scarlet Knights took control of the rest of the dual meet to claim a 40-3 victory over the winless Tigers. Pereira rallied in the third period to force overtime and won with 27 seconds remaining on a takedown, but the Princeton momentum would be shortlived against a a tough Rutgers squad.
The meet started at 125 pounds, meaning Pereira's exciting win gave Princeton a brief lead. The Tiger freshman trailed 4-2 after one period and 6-4 after two, but Pereira rallied with a takedown and a three-point near fall to build a 9-6 lead. Rutgers 125-pounder Andrew DelGuercio got two points back on a reversal and added a point for riding time to force overtime, but Pereira would not let his excellent effort go unrewarded. He took DelGuercio with 27 seconds remaining to clinch an 11-9 win.
Dan Hilt's pin of Princeton freshman Jeff Kirchick at 133 pounds gave Rutgers the lead for good. Rutgers got a technical fall from Kyle Milanese (141), a major decision from Jack Barrett (149) and a pin from Chris Norrell (157) to build a nearly insurmountable 22-3 lead. The closest remaining match would come at heavyweight, where Mike D'Amico held off Princeton's Kris Berr for a 3-2 win.
Princeton is off for the remainder of 2006 and will resume competition Jan. 6 at Duke. Its next home weekend will be the first one in February, when the Tigers welcome Harvard on Friday, Feb. 2, for a 7 p.m. match and Franklin & Marshall and Brown for Feb. 3 afternoon matches.
Rutgers 40, Princeton 3
125 - Nikhil Pereira (P) d. Andrew DelGuercio, 11-9 (ot)133 - Dan Hilt (R) p. Jeff Kirchick, 4:43141 - Kyle Milanese (R) tf. Stephen Savin, 15-0 (5:00)149 - Jack Barrett (R) md. Jesse Palerso, 12-4157 - Chris Norrell (R) p. Mike Alvarez, 4:02165 - Matt Pletcher (R) p. Robbie Brenner, 6:33174 - Matt Whalen (R) d. John Clore, 5-1184 - Keith Dobish (R) d. Oliver Noteware, 11-4197 - Karim Mahmoud (R) d. Zach Morse, 8-3HWT - Mike D'Amico (R) d. Kris Berr, 3-2