Upland, Ind. — The Aquinas College men's lacrosse team, who sits ranked No. 7th nationally, traveled down to Upland, Indiana, for their contest today (Apr. 6) with (RV) Taylor. The Saints started the game out in front and continued to push their lead for much of the game. Taylor managed to close the gap, but ended up not being able to keep offensive pace. At the final horn, AQ had returned to the winning column with a decisive 12-5 victory.

This win pushes the No. 7 Saints to a 7-1 overall standing, with a 3-1 conference record.

Aquinas 12, Taylor 5

Cade Linnemeyer fired in the first goal for Aquinas just over five minutes into the contest. Cooper Nienhuis upped the score close to the six minute mark with a pass from Jack Rioux. In time, Taylor found an answer to split the game 2-1. But Nienhuis found an additional goal with an assist from Linnemeyer with just 46 seconds to go in the first. The quarter ended 3-1.

The second quarter saw much more action as eight total goals were scored. Rioux was on the scoring end as Nienhuis floated him a pass. Pushing the difference to 4-1. This time, Taylor notched two back-to-back goals to tighten the gap to 4-3. Nienhuis answered this two-score succession with his own, the first being assisted by Linnemeyer while the second was assited by Alex Rolands. 

As time wound down, Taylor collected another with 30 seconds to go, but the Saints couldn't help themselves and stamped two more in before the close. Braeden Williams snagged one with help from Linnemeyer, and Nienhuis robs the cradle with a buzzer beater goal with help from Dean Cooper.

After the chaos lessened, the score stood 8-4.

Five more goals went on to be scored in the contest, only one belonged to Taylor. They opened up the scoring in the third and did not see another goal. The rest was Saints territory.

Brady Waling and Nienhuis found the back of the net in the third. In the fourth it was Waling, and Braeden Williams, assisted by Waling. The final buzzer stamped the score at 12-7 and a victory for the Saints.

By the Numbers

Nienhuis collected a double hat trick with six goals and a single assist. Waling tagged in with two goals and one assist.

Williams taped in two goals.

Rioux split with one goal and one assist, while Linnemeyer recorded one goal and showed his helping hand with three assists.

Aquinas had 38 shots to Taylors 37. Austin Hynote continued to perform with 14 saves on the evening.

AQ made the difference with ground balls, securing 37 to Taylors 48.

Aquinas also won 13 face offs to TU's five.

Up Next

The No. 7 Saints return to conference play at home with a 6 p.m. contest with Lawrence Tech on Wednesday (Apr. 10).