Indianapolis, Ind. — The No. 12-rated Aquinas College men's rugby team traveled down to Indianapolis, Indiana, for a conference top 20 national match up against the No. 18-rated Knights of Marian. The Knights had a dominant performance in the first half as they were on the offensive and kept the Saints down wind. The second half AQ bounced back and began to find some motion. But due to a last stitch defensive effort, the Knights were able to keep the Saints out of the try line just before time expired. With the final whistle, AQ fell just short of the Knights, 20-14.
Marian 20, Aquinas 14
The action started early in the contest as Marian had a chance with a penalty kick in the third minute. The Knights were unable to find the conversion but kept the pressure on the Saints for much of the half. MU and AQ battled possession back and forth, up and down the pitch.
Marian found their first entrance to the try line in the 14th minute, but were unable to find the conversion. Bringing the score to 5-0.
AQ found their first chance to tally some points in the 21st minute with a penalty kick, but with a touch of spin the ball hit the right post.
Marian then rallied and found two try's back to back in the 32nd and 34th minutes, only making one of the conversions. Improving their advantage to 17-0.
With just enough time to spare, the Saints managed to spring to life and found a try by Henry Whitemore as he managed the outside edge,
Jackson Andrews collected the conversion.
AQ had stolen a last minute try and conversion to exit the pitch for halftime 17-7.
Returning to the pitch, AQ mustered the first try as
Jacob Easterling drove his way through with another conversion by Andrews. Improving the Saints to 17-14.
In the 58th minute, MU pushed their advantage just out of reach with a penalty kick. Pushing the Knights to 20-14.
Aquinas stood just one try and conversion away from victory.
The remainder of time saw both teams battle up and down the pitch, as both sides locked down their try lines and respective zones. Each time found runs, but neither managed to find the last stretch into the try line.
With few minutes remaining the Saints were on the precipice of the Knight tryline. Each run resulted in a resounding display on both sides of the ball. The Saints had nearly found their redemptive try, but their efforts were thwarted as the Knights regained possession and the time came to expire.
With the final whistle, the Saints had fallen at the doorstep 20-14.
By the Numbers
- Whitmore and Easterling found the try's on the afternoon
- Andrews was 2/3 on overall kicks
Up Next
AQ will make way for Principia in Elsah, Illinois, for their final regular season contest on Saturday (Oct. 19) with a 12 p.m. kickoff.
