Grand Rapids, Mich. — The Aquinas College Rocket League team took part in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Play-In Tournament on Tuesday (Oct. 29). AQ defeated Lourdes with a sweep in the first leg, but then fell to Lawrence Tech in the second with a 3-1 score. This defeat brings an end to the Saints fall season with a final standing of 7-6.

Aquinas 3, Lourdes 0

The Saints were off to an explosive start against the Gray Wolves as they closed out game one with a staggering 9-0 finish. Lourdes found rebuttal in game two, but not enough to out pace AQ. Aquinas took game two with a score of 6-4. The Saints re-upped and found their second wind in game three as they returned to score sheet with a five point advantage in a 6-1 victory.

By the Numbers

• Max Aguilar-Ocha held up five goals, eight assists, one save, and 10 total shots
• Steve Garvey led the offensive effort in the contest as he landed 12 goals, two assists, one save, and 20 total shots
• Juan Garcia Valdes was the through man as collected four goals, 10 assists, four saves, and 12 shots

Lawrence Tech 3, Aquinas 1

AQ felt confident in the second leg of the tournament as the last time they faced the Blue Devils, the Saints found a 3-1 victory. 

As Aquinas looked for a replay, LTU hoped for redemption. 

The Blue Devils landed on top in game one as they collected a two goal advantage for a 3-1 opening game win in the best of five series. 

LTU doubled down and pushed the Saints back in game two with another 3-1 victory. The Blue Devils now sat a single game away from their redemptive win over AQ. 

In the corner, Aquinas steeled their nerves for game three and switched the pace and put LTU on the backfoot. The Saints secured game three by a single goal (2-1). Brining hope back to the team with the dream of a reverse sweep to keep the post-season dreams alive. 

As time ticked away in game four, AQ began to shoot at every chance they could. Each mark being delivered just out of nets reach. With time winding down AQ looked for a buzzer beater to ring in overtime, but it did not come. 

LTU had stamped the contest by narrowly escaping the Saints in game four, bringing a 3-1 finish to the series and to the Saints fall season.

By the Numbers

• Aguilar-Ochoa had five assists, six saves, and seven shots
• Garvey netted two goals, one assist, four saves, on 14 total shots
• Garcia Valdes led this games offensive front with four goals, six saves, and 12 total shots

Up Next

The Rocket League team's season comes to a close. The team will look to prepare for next fall.