???The wrestling team came into their Sunday match with Hofstra coming off two losses against nationally ranked opponents. The Pride, ranked 23rd in the nation, gave the Bulls another quality loss.
???Despite an improved performance, Buffalo (9-9, 1-3 Mid-American Conference) came up short against Hofstra (9-6), losing 24-13. It was the Bulls' eighth straight loss.
???"Losing is never good, period," said head coach Jim Beichner. "I don't care whether it's as an individual or as a team, you can't accept it, can't tolerate it. It's not OK."??
?Despite wanting better results, Beichner has been proud of his wrestlers, recognizing the great potential in all of his wrestlers.
???"I feel personally we're battling pretty hard. I don't think anyone's out there lying down and giving up, in my opinion I think we're making some progress," he said.
???Despite the loss, a total of four wrestlers captured victories for the Bulls. Freshman Desi Green continued to impress against quality competition as he won his match at the 149-pound weight class against the Pride's Jeff Rotella, 24-13. Green had 12 takedowns in the match, putting him in third place for the Bulls in takedowns in a season.
???"Anybody who watches Desi Green realizes this guy's good," Beichner said. "This is someone who will be a force to be reckoned with over the next three and a half years."
Green wasn't the only freshman to defeat a Pride wrestler. Freshman John-Martin Cannon halted his four-match losing streak by defeating Hofstra's Fran O'Brien 10-4 in the 157-pound weight class. Cannon took a 4-1 lead in the first period and never looked back.
???Sophomore Jimmy Hammel won his second match of the weekend, defeating Joe Fagiano in the 197-pound match, 7-5. With the match tied at three after the first period, Hammel scored three straight points to take control.
???Senior Mickey Moran got out of his funk in the 184-pound match, knocking off Ben Clymer. It was Moran's first win since a dual meet match against No. 11 Minnesota in January.
???"Mickey won the match he needed the win," Beichner said. "It's a start and it's something that's going to be positive for him in the next two matches going into the MAC Championships. You got to start somewhere when you're struggling and that's a good start."
???Many of the Bulls' losses came against superior competition. Senior Nate Rock represented the Bulls in the 174-pound weight class and faced All-American Alton Lucas. Despite a strong performance, Rock ended up losing 7-5, failing to tie the match in the last minute. Junior Dan Bishop went toe to toe with No. 20 ranked Steve Bonanno in the 125-pound weight class. Bishop competed but lost the match 6-3.
???The wrestling team returns to action Saturday against Northern Illinois at Alumni Arena. The match is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
