Davenport, Iowa. — The Aquinas College men's lacrosse team opened up their season with an away game against the #9 Saint Ambrose Bees on Saturday (Mar. 2). The Saints and the Bees are no strangers to one another as they have faced off several times in both the regular and post-seasons in years previous. AQ found the notch first as they recorded the opening goal. This game was a true back-and-forth battle. As the final horn sounded, the Saints cemented their first win of the season; in addition to their first season win against a top-10 team. AQ buzzkills the bees with a 13-12 victory.

Aquinas 13, Saint Ambrose 12

This clashing top 10 match-up was the season opener for the Saints but was the fourth contest of the season for the Bees. Saint Ambrose entered the competition undefeated (3-0) outscoring their opponents 38-19. While AQ just came off a strong exhibition showing against Central Michigan where the Saints stamped an 18-4 victory.

Both teams knew this contest's importance as they took the pitch. And this game did not disappoint.

Aquinas's Cade Linnemeyer struck paydirt first as he scored just past two and a half minutes into the match.

The remainder of the first quarter would be a constant rebutting from both sides. There were seven goals total in the first quarter, the Bees were buzzing just ahead with a 4-3 lead. Linnemeyer, Brady Waling, and Cooper Nienhuis all tallied a goal in the opening quarter.

The second quarter mirrored the first as both sides peppered the opposing goals. This time, SAU found the back of the net first. But, once again, seven total goals went on to be scored in a back-and-forth fashion. Nienhuis found his second, Dean Cooper found his first, and Braeden Williams found two back-to-back goals in under two minutes. 

At the end of the second, the scoreboard stood still at 7-7. Both teams entered halftime trying to find the answer to the opposition. 

As the third quarter was underway, it was clear that the back and forth would continue. This time, the third period saw both teams match one another with three goals each.

The Bees once again struck first but each goal had an answer.  Nienhuis claimed a hat trick and more with two goals in this quarter, while Cooper collected his second goal of the evening.

Entering the final leg of play, the #9 Bees and #10 Saints were tied 10-10.

The fourth quarter is where the Saints packed a punch as they smacked in two goals within just 35 seconds. Linnemeyer and Nienhuis were on the tallies. 

Saint Ambrose struck one in three minutes later. But Nienhuis damped the Bees' parade with his sixth goal just 34 seconds after SAU's rebuttal. Here AQ was on top by a two-goal advantage with 7:50 remaining in the contest.

Saint Ambrose kept the hopes alive with a late goal with 1:43 on the clock to bring the contest within one, but couldn't find an equalizer. 

The Saints staved off the Bees' last-minute advances and march out of Davenport, Iowa, with their first win of the season.

By the Numbers

Freshman Nienhuis tallied a stellar performance with a double hat trick, six total goals. 

Williams, Cooper, and Linnemeyer all supplied two goals each.

Linemeyer and Williams also tacked on an assist to their sheet. While Waling and TJ Murphy both had two assists. 

Both AQ and SAU recorded 37 total shots. AQ keeper Austin Hynote kept the Saints in this clashing contest with 15 total saves

Aquinas had 37 ground balls to Saint Ambrose's 27.

AQ dominated in face-offs by winning 24 to SAU's 3.

Up Next

The Saints are back on the road next Saturday (Mar. 9) for a 6 p.m. contest against (RV) Benedictine.