The Aquinas men's lacrosse team traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan to face #6 Concordia for another WHAC matchup on Wednesday afternoon (Mar. 31). AQ faced #2 Indiana Tech just a week ago and fell by just two goals. The Saints dropped today's game by just one goal, as Concordia earned the win by a 13-12 score.
The Cardinals took the lead in the first five minutes by netting the first two goals. Aquinas responded by notching three goals themselves to grab the thin 3-2 advantage. It was a lot of back-and-forth as Concordia scored the last goal of the first quarter and tallied the firth three to start the second.
With the Cardinals leading 6-3, an unassisted goal by AQ's Nash West stopped the Concordia run. CUAA netted a few more, but two more goals from N. West and a goal from Walker West brought AQ within two. Concordia had the slight 8-6 advantage at the half.
The Saints and Cardinals alternated goals the whole third quarter, with Concordia holding a slim 11-10 lead. The Cardinals netted the first goal in the fourth at the 10:40 mark. A score from N. West (8:27) and W. West (7:37) tied the game at 12 apiece.
It was a defensive four minutes before the Cardinals were able to tally one more at the 2:56 mark. N. West took a shot late that was saved by CUAA's goalie. AQ got the ball back as Mitch Haggart took a shot that hit the post. Two more shots came from N. West and W. West but the Saints were unable to find the back of the net.
A last chance shot by Haggart with 15 seconds left was saved by Concordia and soon after time expired. The win improves Concordia to 6-0 overall, 3-0 WHAC. Aquinas moves to a 1-3 overall record and is 1-2 in conference play.
AQ was led by N. West who totaled five goals and two ground balls. N. West tallied three goals and an assist. N. West also added three ground balls and two caused turnovers.
Matt Conrad finished with two goals and an assist. Haggart posted a goal and three assists. Haggart also totaled seven ground balls and caused a turnover. Aidan Donnelly was 12-26 on faceoffs and added five ground balls. AQ goalkeeper Clayton Boerigter played 58:36 minutes and finished with 15 saves.
Aquinas is back in action on the field next Wednesday (Apr. 7) as the Saints host Taylor University in another conference matchup. First faceoff is set for 4:00 PM at the AQ Athletic Field.
