Grand Rapids, Mich. — In a physical affair that featured 12 yellow cards, the Aquinas men's soccer team couldn't shake undefeated Madonna (8-0-1, 3-0 WHAC) losing 3-1 Saturday afternoon (Oct. 1) at the AQ Athletic Field. The Saints lost their first conference match as a result, moving to 5-4-1 overall (2-1 WHAC).

A scoreless first half was anything but dull with 15 shots taken, six corners and three yellow cards. Yet, all the goals came in the final 45 minutes. 

The deadlock was broken in the 59th minute after Ryota Nakajima's nifty footwork sprung Andres Gomez Rubiano for the opening goal. Nakajima then doubled the Crusaders' lead to 2-0 five minutes later.

AQ pulled one goal back in the 69th minute as Jai Tahlan buried a pass from Theo Maye. It was Tahlan's first goal of the season and Maye's team-leading seventh assist.

With the Saints pushing forward for an equalizer, Madonna effectively scored the dagger in the 89th minute. Issei Ito, who assisted Nakajima's goal, slipped behind AQ's retreating defense to cap the final score at 3-1.

To go along with the double-digit yellow cards, 34 fouls were called throughout the match. Madonna outshot Aquinas 23-13, but both teams put seven shots on target.

The Saints are back in action at 7 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 5) against Rochester at the AQ Athletic Field.