Grand Rapids, MI – Unless you've competed at the highest level, it's hard to truly appreciate how difficult it is to give everything you've got and still come up just short. The 2025 Aquinas men's soccer team — a program long accustomed to success — has been forced to lean on one another through a challenging stretch as they search to get back on track. Saturday's match-up against Lourdes was another battle that came down to the wire, but despite the effort, the Saints dropped another one-goal heartbreaker, falling 2–1 at home.

Lourdes 2, Aquinas 1

The Saints showed their resilience early, answering an initial Lourdes strike just over a minute later. In the 14th minute, Carter Hagan found the back of the net for his first goal of the season, finishing off a smooth setup from Trae Collins to pull the Saints level at 1–1. The two sides traded chances throughout the first half, with Colin Bailey, Joseph Farhat, and Bryce Schaner each testing the Lourdes defense.

Defensively, Miguel Gonzalez and Eddie Hudson III anchored the back line, while goalkeepers Dario Cela and Ivan Radovic combined for six saves in the match. Radovic made several key stops in the second half to keep the Saints within striking distance before Lourdes regained the lead in the 53rd minute. Despite late pressure, including looks from Hagan and Collins, Aquinas couldn't find the equalizer they needed.

Inside the Numbers

• Carter Hagan netted his first goal of the season, assisted by Trae Collins.
• Goalkeepers Ivan Radovic and Dario Cela combined for six saves.
• Aquinas finished with eight total shots and three on goal.
• The Saints earned three corner kicks in the first half and matched Lourdes' physicality in fouls (12–7).

Coach's Comments

Following the heartbreaking defeat, Head Coach Luke Ruff reflected on the effort and the road ahead:
"This one hurts, but I'm proud of how our guys competed from the first whistle to the last. We created chances and showed a lot of character, but right now, we're just missing that final piece. The challenge for us is to stay focused, stay united, and keep believing in the process — because I know this group has the quality to turn it around."

Up Next

The Saints fall to 1–7–1 overall and 0–5 in WHAC play. Aquinas will look to combine its Senior Night celebration with the opportunity to capture its first conference win when the Saints host UM-Dearborn on Wednesday. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM at the Aquinas Soccer Field, and the match will stream live on the AQ Saints YouTube Network. Fans can stay updated with live stats, stories, and recaps all season long at aqsaints.com.