Gorham, Maine--Freshman 285 lbs. Edison Guarcas (Providence, R.I.) sealed the victory for the Anchormen with a third-round pin as the Rhode Island College wrestling team defeated the University of Southern Maine, 28-20, at Hill Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 28, Southern Maine 20
Rhode Island College (1-0)
Southern Maine (0-1)

HEAD COACH JAY JONES
"I am really proud of our Anchormen today. We were down 17 points to start the match, not the way you want to start, but our guys stayed leveled, bounced back and never quit."

"For the kids to have the opportunity to compete against another school was just awesome and special"

"We told them before the match we have an opportunity here and they certainly relished in that opportunity and we are very very proud of our Anchormen today." 
 
BY THE NUMBERS
• The Huskies raced out to a 17-0 lead with wins by senior Antoine Grace (Queensbury, N.Y.), freshman Ethan Ford (North Andover, Mass.) and senior Kevin Moore (Jay, Maine).
 
• Freshman 149 lbs. Dominic Bonanno (Westerly, R.I.) picked a major decision, 10-2, to start a three-match win streak for the Anchormen.
 
• Sophomore 157 lbs. Nathan Lackman (Wernersville, Pa.) pinned Husky Joey LeClair (Keeseville, N.Y.) at 2:55. Sophomore 165 lbs. Eric Zane (Quaker Hill, Conn.) earned a 6-2 decision over USM senior Tyson Cram (Leicester, Vt.).
 
• USM senior Juan Vernaza (Miramar, Fla.) scored the final points of the match for the Huskies, earning a 7-4 decision at 174 lbs. before the Anchormen scored back-to-back pins for the 28-20 final. 
 
• RIC senior 197 lbs. Dan Sblendorio (Mountainside, N.J) got the first pin, then Guarcas, who was trailing, 4-2, in the final match, hit a key reversal and picked up the win by fall to give the visitors the win.
 
Individual Results
125 lbs. Antoine Grace (USM) pinned Christopher Lavallee (RIC) at 1:30
133 lbs. Ethan Ford (USM) tech. fall Julien Vivas (RIC), 16-1                 
141 lbs. Kevin Moore (USM) pinned Lance Peters (RIC) at 2:15
149 lbs. Dominic Bonanno (RIC) maj. dec. Trevor Engling (USM), 10-2
157 lbs. Nathan Lackman (RIC) pinned Joey LeClair (USM) at 2:55                
165 lbs. Eric Zane (RIC) dec. Tyson Cram (USM), 6-2
174 lbs. Juan Vernaza (USM) dec. Nathan Stemple (RIC), 7-4                 
184 lbs. Jett Tancsik (RIC) dec. Henri Kuntz (USM), 13-7
197 lbs. Daniel Sblendorio (RIC) pinned  Nick Beebe (USM) at 6:00 
285 lbs. Edison Guarcas (RIC) pinned Jake Peavey (USM) at 6:44
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Coast Guard on Friday, Feb. 19 (5 p.m.).