Grand Rapids, Mich. – The level of competition in the WHAC Conference for Men's Lacrosse is so fierce, every game feels like a national championship match-up. That also means the margin for error is razor-thin—one misstep can spell heartbreak. Injuries have tested the Saints' depth during a season filled with high hopes, but the team remains focused on pushing through adversity and gearing up for the postseason. Next up: the top dog of the WHAC, Indiana Tech.

Indiana Tech 12, Aquinas 11
The Saints nearly completed an unforgettable comeback on Saturday afternoon, rallying from six goals down in the fourth quarter to force overtime before narrowly falling 12-11 to No. 4 Indiana Tech in a high-stakes WHAC battle at the AQ Athletic Field.

After trailing 10-4 early in the final frame, the Saints caught fire, scoring seven goals in less than nine minutes to even the score and electrify the home crowd of almost 1100 folks. But Indiana Tech delivered the final blow in sudden death, slipping in the golden goal three minutes into overtime to escape with the win.

Aquinas drops to 9-4 on the season and 4-3 in WHAC play, while Indiana Tech improves to 13-2 overall and 6-1 in conference action.

Slow Start, Surging Finish
The Saints faced an uphill climb early as Indiana Tech stormed out to a 5-0 lead in the first quarter and extended it to 8-1 by halftime. Aquinas' lone first-half goal came from Brady Waling, who would go on to post a strong individual performance.

Momentum slowly began to shift in the third quarter, where Aquinas netted three unassisted goals to chip away at the deficit. Then, with the score still 10-4 early in the fourth, the Saints flipped the script.

Saints Erupt in the Fourth
Cade Linnemeyer ignited the rally with back-to-back goals, including one off a slick assist from Nico Kittredge. That sparked a barrage of offense, as the Saints scored five more goals in a thrilling sequence. TJ Murphy capitalized on a man-up opportunity, and clutch finishes came from Cory Holmes, Alex Roland, and Waling—whose second goal tied the game at 11-11 with just 1:43 left in regulation.

Despite the momentum and energy from the home crowd, Aquinas never touched the ball in overtime. Indiana Tech won the faceoff and executed a patient offensive possession before sneaking in the game-winner to stun the Saints.

Despite the loss, the fans let the players know that they are still impressed with the level of play, hard work, dedication, and enjoyment they have brought to Aquinas and the fan base.

By the Numbers
• Brady Waling: 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, 1 ground ball
• TJ Murphy: 2 goals, standout defensive effort
• Dillon Wieschhorster: 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, 1 ground ball
• Cade Linnemeyer: 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points, 1 ground ball

Coach's Comments
Following the second straight loss, Head Coach Peter Treppa reflected on the game and the road ahead:
"Our guys showed tremendous heart and resilience today," said Treppa. "We were down big, and instead of folding, they fought their way back against one of the best teams in the country. We'll clean up some things, get healthy, and be ready for Tuesday. This team has more to prove."

Special Seniors
For the AQ Men's LAX team, Saturday marked the final home game of their careers. While we are thankful for all they've contributed to the culture and success of Saints athletics, we will dearly miss the following student-athletes:
#1 Erik Dosch, #2 Reed Chastain, #4 Brady Waling, #12 Joseph Bretz, #22 Nolan Benoit, #23 Cade Linnemeyer, #28 Alex Rolands, #32 Noah Szarejko, #37 Austin Hynote, #92 Nico Kittredge.
This group of ten outstanding young men has played with pride, worked with purpose, honored the sport and the school, and made everyone associated with them proud. Their character and respect—on and off the field—will leave a lasting legacy.

What's Next
The Saints finish the regular season at 9-4 overall and 4-3 in WHAC play. Now, Coach Treppa and his squad turn their focus to Tuesday's WHAC Conference Tournament game on the road at Lawrence Tech. The winner will advance to the semifinals at Indiana Tech. Be sure to visit aqsaints.com for game recaps, stats, scores, and all things Aquinas athletics.