Athens, TN – The Aquinas men's lacrosse team bounced back on the road after suffering their first loss of the season. The Saints, behind strong defense and a total team effort, defeated Tennessee Wesleyan 14-7.

Aquinas 14, Tennessee Wesleyan 7

Aquinas set the tone early, with Collin Wildman striking first off an assist from Oliver Modderman. The Saints held a narrow 3-2 lead after the first quarter but found their rhythm in the second, outscoring Tennessee Wesleyan 5-2 to take an 8-4 lead into halftime. Modderman and T.J. Murphy played key roles in the offensive surge, while the defense kept the Bulldogs in check.

The second half saw Aquinas continue to control the game. The Saints' defense held Tennessee Wesleyan to just three goals over the final two quarters, while Aquinas tacked on six more to seal the victory. Wildman, Murphy, and Nico Kittredge led the way offensively, combining for ten goals. Goalie Austin Hynote anchored the defense with eight saves.

Aquinas out-shot Tennessee Wesleyan 40-30 and excelled in transition, converting 21-of-25 clears. Their ability to dictate the pace and capitalize on scoring opportunities proved to be the difference in the game.

Inside the Numbers:
• Collin Wildman led the Saints with four goals, while T.J. Murphy and Nico Kittredge each scored three.
• Oliver Modderman contributed two goals, two assists, and four ground balls.
• Aquinas converted 21-of-25 clears, limiting Tennessee Wesleyan's transition game.
• Austin Hynote recorded eight saves to help secure the win.

Coach's Take:
Head coach Peter Treppa talked about the importance of forgetting Friday's loss and focusing on the game at hand, saying, "We talked about having a short memory and getting back to what we do best. The guys responded with great energy, and it showed in how we played all four quarters."

Up Next:
The Saints will head home for a week of practice but don't play again until next Saturday. Aquinas will head to Dearborn to take on WHAC rival UM-Dearborn at 2:00 PM on March 29. For updates, recaps, and stats, be sure to follow the AQSaints.com website for everything in AQ athletics.