Defiance, Ohio — You could feel it was just a matter of time. The 2025 Aquinas men's soccer team has battled through adversity, dropping five straight matches — four of them by a single goal. It's been a tough stretch, but Head Coach Luke Ruff and his staff have continued to emphasize effort, teamwork, and trust in the process. That message finally paid off in a dominant 4–0 road victory over Defiance College, as the Saints put together their most complete performance of the season on both sides of the ball.

Aquinas 4, Defiance 0

The Saints struck early and never looked back. Senior forward Bryce Schaner found the back of the net in the 13th minute to open the scoring and added another late for his second brace of the season. Junior standout Fikret Hasovic took over in the second half, converting a penalty kick before netting another just three minutes later to push the lead to 3–0. Goalkeepers Dario Cela and Peyton Huffman combined for the shutout, with Cela making one save and Huffman adding two in relief. The midfield play of Gerardo Jose Montanez and Evan Goodfellow helped control possession, while Miguel Gonzalez, Eddie Hudson III, and Timothy Phillips Jr. anchored a back line that allowed just three shots on goal all afternoon. Asmir Hujdurovic and Owen Dibling also provided valuable minutes as the Saints' depth proved decisive in the convincing win.

Inside the Numbers
     • Aquinas scored four goals on 11 shots on target
     • Bryce Schaner and Fikret Hasovic each recorded two-goal performances
     • Goalkeepers Dario Cela and Peyton Huffman combined for a three-save shutout
     • The Saints outshot Defiance 19–9 and held a 5–3 advantage in corner kicks

Coach's Comments
Following the long-awaited breakthrough, Head Coach Luke Ruff reflected on the performance:
"I couldn't be prouder of this group. We've stressed all season long — don't give up, stay together, and keep believing. The results will come, and today was proof of that. We finally capitalized on our chances, defended with purpose, and played our style for a full 90 minutes. Now it's about using this win to push us forward and continue to get stronger."

Up Next
Aquinas will look to make it two in a row when the Saints head to Adrian, Michigan, to take on WHAC foe Siena Heights on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM. Fans can stay updated with live stats, stories, and recaps all season long at AQSaints.com.