Grand Rapids, Mich. — The undefeated #7 Aquinas men's lacrosse team held their home opener on Saturday (Mar. 30th) as they hosted the Wolverines of UM-Dearborn. UMD were hopeful against the Saints and went on to strike first just over a minute into the game. But soon after, AQ tightened its grip and didn't let go for the remainder of the contest. Aquinas took the home victory 18-3 and remains undefeated (6-0).

Aquinas 18, UM-Dearborn 3

The Wolverines were first to set the tone with the opening goal just over a minute into the contest. Brady Waling found the Saints response minutes later. Erik Dosch also doubled up the Saints by adding another, close to a minute later. AQ was up 2-1 with 9:35 remaining on the clock for the first quarter. 

Both teams were locked in a fervor to find their answers on offense as they both battled up and down the filed. But neither managed to punch in another goal. The remainder of the quarter went scoreless.

The Saints may not have found any additional goals in the quarter, but they certainly figured their blueprint to find them for the remainder of the contest.

A total of 11 goals went on to be scored in the second period, only one belonged to the Wolverines. As the horn blew for halftime, Aquinas ran the score to 12-2.

Here are the scorers for the second quarter:

Cade Linnemeyer, Dean Copper from Braeden Williams, Cooper Nienhuis from TJ Murphy, Alex Rolands, Dean Cooper,  Reed Chastain, Nienhuis assisted by Williams, Cam Gunn assisted by Cooper, and Nienhuis (3).

The third quarter and fourth quarters saw the Saints continue their scoreboard spree with four goals in the third.

Here are the scorers for the third quarter: Cooper from Waling, Jack Rioux assisted by Nienhuis, Linnemeyer with help from Erik Dosch, Linnemeyer assisted by Rioux.

The Saints offensive assault came to slow in the fourth as they only picked up two additional goals. Jake Koning found the net with a pass from Cooper Croskey, and Gunn found another with help from Rioux. 

As the gears came to slow, the Wolverines collected one last goal, which was the final goal of the contest. At the final blow of the horn, the Saints had notched another win to remain undefeated, 18-3.

By the Numbers

Nienhuis continues his national recognition with four goals and one assist for five points.

Dean notched a hat trick with an assist for four points.

Linnemeyer stamped a hat trick of his own.

Gunn tagged in for two goals on the day.

Rioux collected a goal and two assists for three points.

Koning, Dosch, and Chastain all stamped their first goals of the season.

Aquinas had 38 shots to UMD's 28.

Keeper Austin Hynote maintained the Saints defense by making nine saves.

AQ won 14 faceoffs to Dearborn's eight.

Up Next

The #7 Saints will continue their home play on Wednesday (Apr. 3) with #6 Concordia. The contest will be held at the AQ Athletic Field with a 4 p.m. contest start.