PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Cleveland State opened its 2021-22 season with a 2-1 record in their tri-match at Rutgers on Sunday afternoon. The Vikings started off with a 22-18 victory against Binghamton, fell to No. 12 Rutgers, 35-3, and concluded with a 46-6 win against NJCU.

Day Highlights

• Riley Smucker led the way for the Vikings with a 3-0 record at 165 pounds.
• The three NCAA returners for the Vikings went 6-3 on the day.
• Cleveland State won four matches by technical falls.
• The Vikings claimed two matches by pins.
• The Green and White won two matches by major decision.
• Cleveland State is now 2-1 in season-opening dual matches under head coach Josh Moore.

Match 1: Cleveland State (22) vs. Binghamton (18)

Cleveland State opened their season with a pin in the first round of the 125-weight class as Logan Heil downed Michah Roes in 2:10 for the 6-0 lead. Binghamton answered right back with a pin of their own at 133 pounds and a 9-7 decision at 141 pounds, taking a 9-6 lead.

Marcus Robinson tied the match at nine-apiece with a 5-3 overtime victory at 149 pounds and a 5-3 triumph by Daniel Patten at 157 pounds put the Vikings ahead 12-9.

The Vikings extended the margin to 15-9 after Riley Smucker won 2-0 in overtime at 165 pounds. The next two matches featured 5-2 decisions with the Bearcats winning at 174 pounds and No. 30 DeAndre Nassar winning at 184 pounds as the Green and White remained in front, 18-12.

No. 25 Ben Smith used a 10-2 major decision at 197 pounds to give Cleveland State their largest lead of the match, 22-12. Binghamton ended the match with a first-round pin in the heavyweight division, but the Vikings won the season opener, 22-18.

Results: Cleveland State 22, Binghamton 18
125: Logan Heil (CSU) FALL Michah Roes (BU), 2:10
133: Anthony Sobotker (BU) FALL Jake Manley (CSU), 5:29
141: Michael Zarif (BU) DEC Jack Gorman (CSU), 9-7
149: Marcus Robinson (CSU) DEC Nick Lombard (BU), 5-3(OT)
157: Daniel Patten (CSU) DEC Logan Gumble (BU), 5-3
165: Riley Smucker (CSU) DEC Brevin Cassela (BU), 2-0 (OT)
174: No. 29 Jacob Nolan (BU) DEC Anthony Rice (CSU), 5-2
184: No. 30 DeAndre Nassar (CSU) DEC Sam Deprez (BU), 5-2
197: No. 25 Ben Smith (CSU) MD Mike Tyrel (BU), 10-2
HWT: No. 28 Joe Doyle (BU) FALL Daniel Bucknavich (CSU), 2:23

Match 2: Cleveland State (3) vs. No. 12 Rutgers (35)

Rutgers raced out to a 20-0 lead after the opening five matches before Riley Smucker got the Vikings on the board at 165 pounds with a 9-5 decision.

The Scarlet Knights claimed the final four matches to hand the Vikings their first loss of the year, 35-3.

Results: Cleveland State 3, No. 12 Rutgers 35
125: No. 30 Dylan Shawver (RU) DEC Logan Heil (CSU), 6-5
133: Sammy Alvarez (RU) TF Jake Manley (CSU), 29-10
141: No. 4 Sebastian Rivera (RU) win by forfeit
149: No. 27 Michael VanBrill (RU) DEC Marcus Robinson (CSU), 4-2
157: No. 32 Robert Kanniard (RU) DEC Daniel Patten (CSU), 10-8
165: Riley Smucker (CSU) DEC Andrew Clark (RU), 9-5
174: Connor O'Neill (RU) DEC Anthony Rice (CSU), 14-12
184: No. 5 John Poznanski DEC No. 30 DeAndre Nassar (CSU), 7-1
197: No. 15 Greg Bulsak MD No. 25 Ben Smith (CSU), 12-1
HWT: Boone McDermott (RU) FALL John Kelbly (CSU),:55

Match 3: Cleveland State (45) vs. NJCU (6)

The Vikings rattled off the first eight points of the match behind a Logan Heil, 17-1 technical fall at 125 pounds and Jake Manley, 7-0 shutout at 133 pounds.

NJCU collected their lone points of the match at 141 pounds after Cleveland State had to default due to an injury, but still led 8-6.

Cleveland State used consecutive technical falls by Marcus Robinson at 149 pounds (19-3) and Daniel Patten at 157 pounds (22-7), upping their advantage to 18-6. Riley Smucker then picked up a 16-4 major decision at 165 pounds as the Green and White led, 22-6.

Gabe Phillips pinned his opponent just 1:34 into his match at 174 pounds as the scoreboard read, 28-6. No. 30 DeAndre Nassar then earned a 20-5 technical fall at 184 pounds as the lead moved to 33-6.

The final two matches went to the Vikings by injury default at 197 pounds and a forfeit at heavyweight as Cleveland State won, 45-6.

Results: Cleveland State 45, NJCU 6
125: Logan Heil (CSU) TF George Rivera (NJCU), 17-1
133: Jake Manley (CSU) DEC Andre Ruiz (NJCU), 7-0
141: Enrique Cuevas (NJCU) INJDF Cody Moosman (CSU)
149: Marcus Robinson (CSU) TF Mike Cross (NJCU), 19-3
157: Daniel Patten (CSU) TF Jake Sjsk (NJCU), 22-7
165: Riley Smucker (CSU) MD Jeff Johnson (NJCU), 16-4
174: Gabe Phillips (CSU) FALL Lorenzo (NJCU), 1:34
184: No. 30 DeAndre Nassar (CSU) TF Shane Lallkissoon (NJCU), 20-5
197: No. 25 Ben Smith (CSU) INJDF Kyle Hillermeier (NJCU)
HWT: Daniel Bucknavich (CSU) win by forfeit

Up Next
The Vikings will host No. 21 Purdue in their home opener on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m.