Upland, Ind. — Back on the road. Back against a ranked opponent. And back with something to prove.
After a heartbreaking, three-goal loss to Madonna earlier in the week, the Aquinas College men's lacrosse team didn't just look to respond — they made a statement. Facing another top-10 opponent in Taylor, the Saints silenced any lingering doubts, reminding the NAIA exactly why they hold the No. 3 ranking with a dominant, wire-to-wire performance.
#3 Aquinas 19, #8 Taylor 8
From the opening whistle, the Saints brought urgency, energy, and a clear sense of purpose. Taylor struck first, but Aquinas wasted little time settling in, responding with a quick flurry that set the tone for the afternoon. Braeden Williams opened the scoring for AQ, followed closely by TJ Murphy and Oliver Modderman as the Saints surged ahead 4-1 midway through the first quarter.
Even as Taylor trimmed the deficit to 4-3 at the end of the first, Aquinas never lost control. The Saints leaned into their offensive depth and efficiency in the second quarter, with Williams igniting a run that included four goals in just over three minutes. Murphy added a man-up tally, and by halftime, AQ had built an 8-5 lead and seized momentum.
The third quarter is where the Saints turned a strong performance into a statement win.
Murphy took over early, scoring twice in the opening minute and a half of the half, sparking a six-goal quarter that blew the game wide open. Williams continued his standout day with multiple finishes, while Mitchell Pridgeon added a man-up goal of his own. The AQ defense tightened its grip, limiting Taylor to just one goal in the period while forcing tough looks and capitalizing in transition.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Saints were firmly in control — but they weren't finished.
Modderman added another goal early in the frame, Williams and Pridgeon continued to pile on, and Murphy capped his sensational afternoon with his sixth goal of the game. Aquinas closed the contest on a 5-2 run in the final quarter, punctuated by a man-up goal from Modderman in the closing seconds to seal the 19-8 victory.
Williams led the offensive charge with seven goals and two assists, while Murphy matched him with nine total points on six goals and three assists. Modderman added four goals and two assists, and Pridgeon chipped in a pair of goals as the Saints showcased one of their most complete offensive performances of the season.
Ian Wright contributed two assists, while Collin Wildman and Dillon Wieschhorster each added helpers to keep the offense flowing.
In net, Austin Hynote anchored the defensive effort with 13 saves, helping the Saints withstand early pressure and slam the door as the game progressed.
The Saints also capitalized on special teams, converting 5-for-7 extra-man opportunities, while holding Taylor to just 2-for-7 in man-up situations — a key difference in the contest.
With the win, Aquinas improves to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in WHAC play, while Taylor falls to 5-3 overall and 1-2 in conference action.
Saints Snapshots
• Outscored Taylor 11-3 in the second half
• Braeden Williams: 7 goals, 2 assists
• TJ Murphy: 6 goals, 3 assists (game-high 9 points)
• AQ went 5-for-7 on extra-man opportunities
• Austin Hynote recorded 13 saves
• Six-goal third quarter broke the game open
Coach's Comments
Head Coach Peter Treppa emphasized the importance of staying grounded and focused on long-term growth following the bounce-back victory.
"Wednesday was a battle between two really good teams, and while it didn't go our way, it was one game — nothing more," Treppa said. "What matters is how you respond, and I thought our group showed maturity today. We stayed focused on our standards, on getting better every possession, and not letting outside noise dictate who we are. This team is built for the long haul, and bumps along the way aren't going to knock us off course — they're going to sharpen us."
Up Next
The Saints will head home for a pair of games this week from the comfort of the Aquinas Athletic Field. On Wednesday, they will play Lawrence Tech and come right back Saturday in a battle of the Saints when they host Siena Heights. Both games will be streamed on the AQSaints YouTube Network.
Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and full postgame coverage of AQ Men's Lacrosse and all Saints sports.
