Holland, Mich. – Saturday's match-up carried major postseason implications for the Aquinas Men's Rugby Team, as a victory would secure a coveted first-round bye in the upcoming Big Rivers Rugby Conference playoffs. For Head Coach Lance Hohaia and his squad, the message was clear: play disciplined, play physical, and play Saints rugby. Avoiding costly mistakes and staying composed in key moments would be the formula to not only win, but to build momentum heading into the championship push. And when the whistle blew, Aquinas delivered exactly that — a statement performance to lock up their postseason advantage.

Aquinas 42, Drury 15

The Saints wasted no time setting the tone, as DonYale Sharp opened the scoring by finishing under the posts after supporting a slicing run from Liam Inman, with Jack O'Malley adding the conversion. Moments later, Trayvon Mathis crossed the try line following a crisp set-piece move from a lineout, extending the lead before O'Malley slotted a penalty kick to make it a three-score game. Liam Inman then powered over for a try of his own after sustained forward pressure, while Shaundre Bekker dazzled with fancy footwork and determination to add another near the posts, converted by Dominic Zavala. Though Drury fought back with a second-half surge, the Saints' fitness and flair shone through as Mathis added his second try, showing blistering pace down the flank. Gavin Thompson capped off the dominant day with a brilliant solo effort, beating multiple defenders before Zavala converted to seal the 42-15 victory.

Inside the Numbers
     • Seven tries scored by six different Saints
     • Two successful conversions from Dominic Zavala and one from Jack O'Malley
     • Trayvon Mathis scored twice, including one in each half
     • The Saints have now secured a bye into the Big Rivers Rugby Conference semifinals

Coach's Comments
Head Coach Lance Hohaia praised his team's focus and improvement but emphasized the importance of maintaining their momentum heading into the postseason:
"Our goal-line defense showed real improvement from last week, and a few individuals had standout performances. Overall, it was a solid showing as we head into the semifinal weekend on Friday, October 31. We'll use the week off next week to sharpen up a few key areas and make sure we're ready to compete at our absolute best when the stakes get even higher."

Up Next
The Saints will get some rest and a lot of hard practices in preparation for the Big Rivers Rugby Conference Tournament on Friday, October 31. More details will be announced following the opening round of play. Fans are encouraged to visit AQSaints.com for full tournament information, stats, and a complete recap of all the action.  If you'd like to watch the game against Drury, click here.