Grand Rapids, Mich. — The Aquinas men's soccer team had multiple reasons to celebrate on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 21). Not only did the Saints (11-2-2, 7-1-1 WHAC) earn a 3-1 victory over nine-man Cleary on Senior Day, but word quickly spread after that game that conference leaders Indiana Tech had drew 1-1 against UM-Dearborn.

As a result, Aquinas jumped over the Warriors (6-0-3 WHAC) by a single point (23 to 22) to be leading the conference regular season standings with two games remaining. The Saints control their own destiny in chasing down the program's first WHAC regular season title since 2010.

Getting three points on a rainy Saturday was a must against the Cleary Cougars (5-8-3, 2-5-2 WHAC), before Aquinas could even entertain the Indiana Tech at UM-Dearborn result.

The Saints scored twice in quick succession in the 17th and 18th minute.

Defender Joshua Clemitson scored the first on a rocket into the top right corner from outside the 18-yard box. Ricardo Rittersberger picked up his WHAC-leading eighth assist this season. 

A minute later, Mason Sills pounced on a rebound off a shot from Yussef Hakmaoui to give AQ a 2-0 advantage. It was the first goal of the season for Sills and 15th for his collegiate career. Hakmaoui earned an assist in a second straight game.

Cleary lost its starting goalkeeper Austin Freemire to a straight red card in the 56th minute. He was replaced by Joey Branicki, who played minutes in the first half as a defensive back.

Clemitson, making another case to be named the WHAC Defensive Player of the Week, then assisted a goal by Tevan Jones in the 61st minute. 

Cleary's Liam Coyle collided with AQ's goalkeeper Antonio Strassioto in the 83rd minute and was shown the Cougars' second red card to go down to nine men.

Strassioto stayed in the game and made two saves to pick up the win. His shutout, however, was broken up from the penalty spot in the 88th minute on a goal scored by Diego Aguirre.

The Saints hadn't given up a goal in 465 minutes of game time.

AQ outshot Cleary 29-9 (14-3 shots on target) and had six more corner kicks (8-2).

Before the game, the six seniors who were recognized on Senior Day were Strassioto, Jesunifemi Ojutalayo, Andrea Ghiggini, Fin Pittock, Jai Tahlan and Damir Sabanovic.

Two huge games ahead to close out the regular season for the Saints. AQ will host (RV) Lawrence Tech first on Wednesday night (Oct. 25) before heading to Fort Wayne, Ind., to take on Indiana Tech on Saturday evening (Oct. 28).

Win both and Aquinas finishes on top of the conference for the first time in 13 years.