Grand Rapids, Mich. – Anticipation. Excitement. Talent. Opportunity. One goal.
If you are a fan of AQ Men's Lacrosse, you know just how close last season was to being something unforgettable, ultimately falling just short of a trip to Nationals. But if you've spent even five minutes around Head Coach Peter Treppa and his staff, you also know there is no room in this locker room for "what could have been." Excuses are for teams that don't win. Success demands a price — pride, commitment, effort, and a united group chasing a single goal.
And on a picture-perfect February afternoon at the Aquinas Athletic Field, the ninth-ranked Saints began writing the first chapter of the book titled Championship Season.
Aquinas 21, Columbia (Mo.) 7
AQ wasted no time announcing that 2026 would not be about easing into anything. Dillon Wieschhorster buried the season's first goal just 37 seconds into the contest, and from there the Saints poured on early pressure, outshooting Columbia 18-6 in the opening quarter. TJ Murphy struck for five goals on the afternoon, and by the end of the first period, Aquinas held a 7-3 advantage.
Still, it wasn't flawless.
Columbia clawed back to make it 7-4 in the second quarter, forcing AQ to tighten its approach defensively and clean up some early possession issues. Then came the spark.
With just seven seconds remaining in the first half, Ben Cash found the back of the net, sending the Saints into the locker room with a 10-4 lead — and more importantly, momentum. It was the kind of late-half punch that doesn't just add a goal, it adds swag.
What followed in the second half was a different level.
The Saints erupted for seven third-quarter goals, stretching the lead to 17-6 and effectively putting the contest out of reach. Oliver Modderman (three goals) and Cory Holmes (three goals) fueled the surge, while Braeden Williams added two goals and an assist. Jake Koning and Eli Smith each found the net, showcasing the depth that makes this offense so dangerous.
And then there was Evan Doan.
A two-sport AQ student-athlete who skated through the DI Hockey season without finding the back of the net, Doan made sure his name would be in this box score — twice. He scored two goals in the final minute of the game, the last coming with just 10 seconds remaining, igniting the sideline and putting an emphatic stamp on the opener.
Collin Wildman quietly orchestrated much of the attack, finishing with a goal and three assists, while Cooper Croskey and Cash added assists to keep the offense humming. In goal, Austin Hynote turned aside seven shots, and the Saints dominated the faceoff battle 21-9 and ground balls 38-20.
The difference from the first half to the second was tangible. Cleaner clears. Sharper communication. Crisper ball movement. A team that looked good early became a team that looked dangerous late.
And that's the part that should excite Saints fans most.
This wasn't perfection. It was progression.
Stream Issues
The AQ Athletic Communications Department would like to apologize for the issues during the stream with the camera. For full disclosure, we use a HUDL Focus camera, which worked seamlessly during soccer season. We were told it would translate well to lacrosse, but in our opening broadcast of the year, we learned there is still work to be done, which led to a difficult-to-watch stream, and that is not acceptable for us. We will continue to improve our streams and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Inside the Numbers
• 21 – Goals scored by Aquinas in the season opener
• 63 – Total shots by the Saints
• 21-9 – Face-off advantage for AQ
• 38-20 – Ground ball edge
• 7 – Third-quarter goals that blew the game open
Coach's Comments
After the game, Head Coach Peter Treppa reflected on both the growth and the expectations:
"We were good at times today, but good isn't the standard if you want to stay nationally ranked. The first half showed we still have things to clean up — communication, spacing, decision-making. The second half showed what we can be when we lock in. This team can't be satisfied with a 21-7 win. We have to chase improvement every day. If we want this season to be special, it's about getting better in every facet of the game — clears, rides, extra-man, defense, everything. That process starts tomorrow."
Up Next
For the Saints, there is no time to rest on an impressive opening victory. Aquinas will return to the Aquinas Athletic Field on Saturday to host Cumberland in what promises to be an epic NAIA battle with major future ramifications. The game is set for a 2:00 p.m. start as part of a lacrosse doubleheader. The AQ Women's team, under first-year Head Coach Marvin Hardy, will follow at 5:00 p.m.
Both games will be streamed, with Calvin Willson on the call for the opener and Joey Sutherlin taking over after the WHAC Indoor Track & Field Finals. Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and full post-game coverage.
