Springfield, Mass. – The Roger Williams University wrestling team defeated the Pride of Springfield College Friday night by 21-16 decision in the Pride's annual "Friday Night Lights" event in Blake Arena.

The Hawks opened up the evening with a major decision at 125 by Nicholas Barbaria (Scarsdale, NY) and a decision at 133 from Jason Jacobi (Effort, Pa.). The Pride delivered a 5-2 victory at 141 to bring the Pride within 7-3.  

Another Roger Williams win by decision at 149 from Tyler Gazaway (New Providence, NJ) pushed the Hawks lead to 10-3 before the night's most anticipated match between Ty Herzog (Slatington, Pa) and Zach Joseph, two of the nation's top-ranked wrestlers at 157 pounds according to the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division III Individual Rankings.  Joseph, ranked fifth in the weight class, defeated Herzog with a 21-11 major decision over the Hawks fourth-ranked wrestler in the nation.

The Hawks responded with a major decision at 165 from Alec Golner (Tyngsborough, Mass.), only to have the Pride win by pinfall in 6:55 in 165 pounds, to bring the Pride within 14-13.  The Pride built off that momentum and took its first lead of the evening after a 5-3 win in double overtime in the 184 showdown.

However, the Hawks regained the lead for good with a decision at 197 by Christopher Francis (Bristol, RI) before a major decision in the finale by Kyle Foster (Somers, Conn.) to  seal the 21-16 victory.

The Hawks compete in a tri-match Sunday, December 11^th in Bridgewater, Mass.