Grand Rapids, Mich. — Symbolically, on the first NFL Sunday of the 2023-24 season, the Aquinas men's soccer team played their best fútbol this season and defeated NCAA Division III Alma by a touchdown, 7-0.

Six different Saints scored in the rout with 19 players getting game time. Aquinas improved to 3-1-1 with the win. Alma dropped to 1-2-2 overall.

The seven-goal outburst is the Saints' biggest win since Oct. 27, 2021, when AQ beat conference foe Siena Height by the same margin, 7-0. On that night, Aquinas forward Ricardo Rittersberger scored twice. The Weinheim, Germany, striker picked up two goals on Sunday (Sept. 10) as well, scoring eight minutes apart in the 29th and 37th minute.

Rittersberger not only leads the Saints with five goals in five games this season, but is currently the top goal scorer in the WHAC. Rittersberger also picked up two assists on Sunday to collect six total points.

Five other Saints scored their first goal of the season against Alma: Fin Pittock (2nd minute), Stefano Moraccini (40th minute), Gerardo Jose Montanez (47th minute), Andrea Ghiggini (62nd minute) and Fikret Hasovic (84th minute).

Aquinas peppered the Alma goal throughout the contest with a 37-5 shots advantage (20-4 shots on target). They also had 10 more corner kicks (11-1). The Scots switched goalkeepers at halftime with Landon Soule relieving Leandro Vargas.

A day after becoming AQ's all-time shutout leader for goalkeepers, Antonio Strassioto got a well-deserved day off and watch fellow teammate Ivan Radovic between the sticks. The sophomore from Bokelj, Montenegro, made his first career varsity appearance for the Saints and stopped four shots to secure a shutout performance.

The AQ defense stood strong again and has blanked four out of its first five opponents to start the year.

After playing to a scoreless draw against Trinity Christian yesterday, AQ went to its bench often on Sunday to keep the legs fresh. Besides Radovic, only Joshua Clemitson and Jesunifemi Ojutalayo played all 90 minutes. 

Clemitson assisted a pair of goals. Tevan Jones, Joe Lockey and Fikret Hasovic also picked up helpers.  

The Saints have five days to rest up before hosting Goshen on Saturday (Sept. 16). Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. from the AQ Athletic Field. The No. 7-ranked AQ women's soccer team will play beforehand with a noon kickoff against (RV) Grace.