Indianapolis, Ind. — The fall finale for the Aquinas men's rugby team was equal parts pride and purpose. Though the Saints knew before kickoff that a third-place finish in the Big Rivers Rugby Conference would not be enough to qualify for nationals, they refused to treat the match-up as anything less than a championship moment. With grit, heart, and a point to prove, AQ took the field at Kuntz Stadium determined to end their fall campaign on their own terms — and did just that with an emphatic win that showcased their depth and discipline.
Aquinas 32, Iowa Central 12
The Saints got off to a slow start, allowing Iowa Central to strike first and grab early momentum. However, once Aquinas settled in, their trademark structure and physicality took over. Marcel Denysschen opened the scoring after a powerful Liam Inman line break set the table for AQ's first try. Shortly after, Dominic Zavala delivered a pinpoint kick that was chased down and recovered by Gavin Thompson, who dotted down to give the Saints their first lead of the day. Sam Whitmore then muscled his way over from close range before Thompson added the extras, sending Aquinas into halftime with a 17–7 advantage.
Coming out of the break, the Saints' energy was palpable. Trayvon Mathis found space out wide and crossed for his first try of the afternoon, then followed up minutes later with another after quick hands through the backline created an overlap. Inman continued to orchestrate the attack and nailed both a conversion and a late penalty to close out the scoring. The Saints' defense matched their offensive flair, shutting down Iowa Central's attempts to rally and holding them to just one second-half try.
The win capped off a statement performance — a 32–12 victory that secured third place in the Big Rivers Rugby Conference Tournament and wrapped up an impressive 6–2 season for Aquinas, a team that came agonizingly close to earning a national tournament berth.
Scoring Summary
Tries: Denysschen, Thompson, Whitmore, Mathis (2)
Conversions: Thompson (1), Inman (1)
Penalty: Inman
Inside the Numbers
• Five different Saints contributed to the scoring effort.
• Aquinas outscored Iowa Central 15–5 in the second half.
• AQ's defense held opponents to 12 points or fewer in four of six wins this fall.
• The Saints finished the season 6–2, securing third in the BRRC.
Coach's Comments
As the fall season comes to an abrupt conclusion, Head Coach Lance Hohaia shared his thoughts on the state of AQ Men's Rugby:
"I'm proud of the guys for finishing 3rd in our conference, it's a great reflection of their hard work and commitment throughout the season. It's been rewarding to watch this group grow and develop week by week, both on and off the field. I'm happy for them to finish on a strong note and to see their efforts pay off. We've built a solid foundation to carry forward into next year."
Up Next
Following the win over Iowa Central, Aquinas has concluded the fall season. While disappointed not to make the national tournament, the Saints will now set their sights on the spring "7's" season and look to build on the progress made this fall. Fans are encouraged to stay up to date on all AQ Athletics coverage — including live stats, scores, and replays — at AQSaints.com. To relive the season finale, a full match replay of the Iowa Central game is available now at AQSaints.com/Watch.
