Grand Rapids, Mich. — Some games do not need a lot of set up. When the #2 team in the NAIA heads to Grand Rapids for an early-season contest with major national ramifications against the #9 ranked Saints, the script practically writes itself. Two exceptional teams. One instant classic. And perhaps a prelude to the national tournament. For lacrosse fans, it was elite-level play on display at Aquinas Athletic Field.
#9 AQUINAS 13, #2 CUMBERLANDS 12
And it delivered.
Aquinas erased a four-goal deficit in the fourth quarter, scored the final five goals of the afternoon, and locked down defensively over the final 5:16 to defeat second-ranked Cumberlands Patriots, 13–12.
The Patriots struck first, jumping out to a 2–0 lead before Ben Cash put the Saints on the board. TJ Murphy and Braeden Williams followed, helping Aquinas answer early and settle into the moment. The first quarter ended deadlocked at 3–3, and it was clear neither side was blinking.
In the second, Collin Wildman and Murphy sparked a 4–3 AQ advantage, while Cory Holmes buried a finish off a Murphy feed to keep the Saints in front. But Cumberlands countered quickly, knotting the game at 6–6 before Wildman's late strike gave Aquinas a 7–6 halftime edge.
Early in the third, Murphy pushed the lead to 8–6, and momentum appeared to tilt toward the burgundy and gold. Then the Patriots responded like the #2 team in the country. Cumberlands rattled off six unanswered goals in a blistering stretch to seize a 12–8 lead late in the third.
The Saints were reeling. But they were not finished.
Braeden Williams stopped the surge with a critical goal off a Jaiden Woodson assist just before the end of the third, cutting it to 12–9. That goal felt different. It felt like belief.
Despite going 0-for-5 with the extra man and completing just 19-of-25 clearing attempts — compared to a perfect 24-for-24 by the Patriots — Aquinas refused to fold.
The fourth quarter belonged entirely to the Saints.
Murphy ignited the rally with back-to-back scores. Wildman followed with a clutch finish off an Oliver Modderman assist. With just under eight minutes to play, Murphy tied it at 12–12, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Then came the moment.
With 5:16 remaining, Braeden Williams cut hard to space, and Collin Wildman delivered a perfect feed. Williams buried it. 13–12 Aquinas.
From there, it was lockdown lacrosse.
Austin Hynote stood tall in goal with eight saves. William Larriuz battled at the faceoff X. Tobin Brems and Joe Bryson scooped key ground balls. TJ Steenland and CJ Russell helped force late turnovers. Every possession mattered.
Cumberlands had opportunities. Aquinas had resolve.
When the final horn sounded, the Saints had outscored the Patriots 4–0 in the fourth quarter and closed the game on a 5–0 run to defeat the #2 team in the country.
In February.
That's not just a win.
That's a statement.
Inside the Numbers
• 5 goals from TJ Murphy, who also added an assist
• 6 points each from Murphy and Collin Wildman
• 53 total shots for Aquinas
• 5–0 scoring run to close the game
• AQ defense did not allow a fourth quarter point
Coach's Comments
After the game, Head Coach Peter Treppa emphasized perspective and continued growth:
"We're proud of how the guys responded when things weren't going our way. That stretch in the third quarter could have broken us, but instead it brought us together. Beating a team like Cumberlands shows what we're capable of — but February doesn't guarantee anything in May. We have to stay hungry, stay humble, and keep improving every single day."
Up Next
Aquinas will have two weeks to fine tune areas that still need sharpening before heading to Missouri for matchups with William Woods and Missouri Baptist on March 6 and 7. While the Saints cannot afford to chase headlines, the AQ community can certainly glance at the next set of national rankings with anticipation.
Don't miss out on any AQ Athletics happenings. Stay up to date by visiting AQSaints.com for full coverage, stats, and postgame recaps.
