STANFORD, Calif. – In an outdoor dual at Taube Tennis Center, No. 20 Stanford dropped a 20-15 decision to Rutgers on Saturday in its home opener.
Each team won five of the 10 bouts, but Rutgers (3-1) scored bonus points in three of its five wins to capture the dual victory.
Down 11-0, Stanford reeled off four straight wins to take the lead. However, a fall by Rutgers' Brian Soldano, who is ranked 15th nationally, all but sealed up the win. After Cardinal 197-pounder Nick Stemmet's 5-0 decision over Billy Janzer cut the lead to 17-15, Rutgers heavyweight Boone McDermott, ranked No. 32, closed the door on the dual with a 14-9 decision over Seamus O'Malley.
Redshirt junior Jaden Abas, ranked No. 13 at 149 pounds, got the Cardinal on the board with a 3-2 decision over No. 32 Anthony White. Abas moves to 7-1 on the season.
Daniel Cardenas, who entered the rankings this week at No. 22, posted a 17-11 decision over Andrew Clark at 157 pounds. The true freshman has won 10 straight matches to start his Stanford career.
Ranked second nationally, Shane Griffith dominated in a 9-2 decision over Connor O'Neill at 165 pounds. He remains undefeated at 8-0 this season.
Stanford 174-pounder Tyler Eischens, who checks in at No. 27, also earned a 9-2 decision over No. 24 Jackson Turley. Eischens improves to 8-1 on the year.
Stanford will resume action on Sunday, Dec. 18 as it hosts No. 13 Virginia Tech and Lindenwood at Burnham Pavilion.
Rutgers 20, No. 20 Stanford 15
| Weight | Matchup | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 125 | Dean Peterson (RU) maj. dec. #30 Nico Provo (STAN) | 11-2 |
| 133 | #16 Joe Heilmann dec. #33 Jackson DiSario (STAN) | 4-3 |
| 141 | #10 Sammy Alvarez maj. dec. Jason Miranda (STAN) | 18-6 |
| 149 | #13 Jaden Abas (STAN) dec. #32 Anthony White (RU) | 3-2 |
| 157 | #22 Daniel Cardenas (STAN) dec. Andrew Clark (RU) | 17-11 |
| 165 | #2 Shane Griffith (STAN) dec. Connor O'Neill (RU) | 9-2 |
| 174 | #27 Tyler Eischens (STAN) dec. #24 Jackson Turley (RU) | 9-2 |
| 184 | #15 Brian Soldano (RU) fall Brook Byers (STAN) | F0:34 |
| 197 | Nick Stemmet (STAN) dec. Billy Janzer (RU) | 5-0 |
| 285 | #32 Boone McDermott (RU) dec. Seamus O'Malley (STAN) | 14-9 |