Grand Rapids, Mich. – 2025 has been an interesting season for the AQ Saints Men's Soccer Team. For the previous few seasons, the Saints have been near the top of the WHAC Conference and one of the best nationally. Coach Luke Ruff's team has struggled to find its identity this season and has been searching for that statement victory to show this group is heading in the right direction. Wednesday, the Saints came back from a 3-1 deficit to earn a draw — a spark that proved to be a prelude to what was coming on Saturday at the Aquinas Athletic Field.

Aquinas 2, Indiana Tech 1

The Saints delivered one of their most inspired performances of the season, stunning Indiana Tech with a gritty 2-1 victory on their home turf. Senior midfielder Fikret Hasovic set the tone late in the first half, burying a penalty kick to even the match at 1-1 after the Warriors jumped out to an early lead. In goal, Peyton Huffman was sensational, turning away 12 shots to keep the Saints within striking distance. Freshman Carson Tucker became the hero in the 77th minute, scoring the game-winning goal on a perfectly timed strike to give AQ its biggest result of the year. Defenders Eddie Hudson III, Timothy Phillips Jr., and Miguel Gonzalez anchored a tough backline that absorbed constant pressure and refused to break. Chase Jacobs Gries, Evan Goodfellow, and Bryce Schaner added key offensive energy that helped sustain the attack throughout the contest. The Saints showed poise and resilience, playing with a level of confidence that matched the program's proud tradition.

With the win, Aquinas improves to 3-7-3 overall and 2-5-2 in WHAC play, while Indiana Tech drops out of a first-place tie in the conference, falling to 11-4-1 overall and 7-2 in the WHAC.

Inside the Numbers
     • Fikret Hasovic scored his first goal of the season on a first-half penalty kick
     • Carson Tucker netted the game-winner in the 77th minute
     • Goalkeeper Peyton Huffman made 12 saves to secure the upset
     • AQ has recorded points in back-to-back matches for the first time this season

Coach's Comments
Head Coach Luke Ruff was thrilled with his team's breakthrough performance but emphasized that the result was the product of belief and persistence:
"I've known all season that this group had this in them. We've been battling through adversity, trying to find our rhythm, and today we finally put it all together. Peyton was incredible in goal, and guys like Fikret and Carson stepped up in big moments. I still believe our best soccer is ahead of us, and this win can be the foundation for how we finish the year."

Up Next
The Saints will return to action on Wednesday evening when they finish the home portion of the season by hosting Rochester Christian at 6:00 PM. The game will be streamed live on the AQ YouTube Network. Fans are encouraged to visit AQSaints.com for information, stats, and a full recap of all the action.