Adrian, Mich. — Thursday's match-up between Aquinas and Siena Heights came with more than a few storylines. A weather delay pushed the game back nearly a full day, throwing off the rhythm of a program that prides itself on precision—something that directly challenges the structured, detail-driven approach of head coach Peter Treppa. Add in the reality that this marked the final "Saints vs. Saints" battle in WHAC men's lacrosse, and suddenly, this one carried a little extra weight.
For Aquinas, the mission was clear: handle business, build goal differential as a key conference tiebreaker, get meaningful minutes across the roster, and most importantly—get out healthy.
#3 Aquinas 24, Siena Heights 2
From the first defensive stand to the final horn, Aquinas dictated every inch of the field in a commanding, wire-to-wire performance that checked every box—defensive dominance, offensive efficiency, and postseason-ready focus.
Defense Sets the Tone
If you want to understand this game, start on the defensive end.
Aquinas didn't just stop Siena Heights—they suffocated them.
The Saints shut out Siena Heights for the first three quarters, setting a tone that never allowed the home side to find rhythm or confidence. Every possession was contested, every passing lane challenged, and every clear made difficult.
The caused turnovers started early and never let up, with Collin Wildman setting the tone as a disruptive force on-ball and in passing lanes. His activity ignited transition opportunities and helped tilt possession heavily in Aquinas' favor.
He wasn't alone.
Cooper Croskey, Brandon Klingelsmith, Max Sist, and Jaiden Woodson were relentless, collapsing space, winning ground balls, and consistently breaking up Siena Heights' attempts to settle into offense. The unit played fast, connected, and physical—exactly how championship-level defenses operate this time of year.
At the faceoff X, William Larriuz was a difference-maker, giving Aquinas repeated extra possessions and allowing the defense to stay fresh and aggressive throughout.
Behind it all, Austin Hynote delivered a composed and efficient performance in goal, making key stops when called upon and handling clears with confidence to keep the Saints moving forward.
Even when Siena Heights finally broke through, it never turned into momentum—the Saints answered immediately and re-established control.
Offense: Relentless, Balanced, and Unselfish
With the defense setting the tone, the offense turned the afternoon into a showcase of depth, rhythm, and precision.
Aquinas erupted early with a 7-goal first quarter, setting the pace and never looking back. The ball movement was crisp, the spacing was clean, and the decision-making was sharp—leading to a balanced attack that saw contributions from all over the lineup.
Leading the charge:
The duo controlled the flow of the game, but what made the performance stand out was how seamlessly the offense extended beyond them.
Mitchell Pridgeon added 4 goals and 3 assists, consistently capitalizing on opportunities, including multiple man-up finishes.
Collin Wildman contributed on both ends with a goal and three assists.
Oliver Modderman, Jake Koning, and Ian Wright each delivered timely scoring and playmaking.
And then came the depth pieces—the kind that separate good teams from great ones:
Jaiden Woodson sparked the early run.
#51 Conner Frisch found the back of the net late for his first collegiate goal, a moment that brought energy to the sideline.
#23 Cullen Gaves capped the scoring in the final minute with his first collegiate goal, putting the finishing touch on a dominant day.
In total, 10 different Saints scored, a testament to the unselfish, team-first approach that defines this group.
The Saints also made the most of their extra-man opportunities, executing with precision and confidence whenever the chance presented itself.
The Intangibles: Built for What's Next
Beyond the stat sheet, this performance was about discipline and maturity.
The delay, the schedule disruption, the lopsided score—none of it changed Aquinas' focus.
The Saints played clean, controlled lacrosse, took care of the ball, cleared efficiently, and maintained their structure from start to finish. Just as importantly, they were able to rotate players, build depth, and gain valuable experience across the roster without sacrificing the standard.
This wasn't just a win—it was preparation.
Preparation for tighter games.
Preparation for postseason pressure.
Preparation for moments where the margin for error disappears.
With the victory, Aquinas improves to 13-2 overall and 9-2 in WHAC play, continuing to build momentum at exactly the right time.
Saints Snapshots
• Three Quarters of Perfection — The Saints held Siena Heights scoreless through the first 45 minutes, setting the tone with elite defensive execution.
• Possession Dominance — William Larriuz controlled the faceoff X, fueling Aquinas' ability to dictate pace from start to finish.
• Star Power Shines — Braeden Williams and TJ Murphy combined for 13 goals and 9 assists, leading a dynamic offensive effort.
• Depth Delivers — 10 different Saints scored, including first collegiate goals from Conner Frisch and Cullen Gaves.
• Fast Start, Full Control — A 7-goal opening quarter put AQ in command early, and they never let go.
Coach's Comments
Following the game, head coach Peter Treppa emphasized the importance of what lies ahead:
"We're entering the phase of the season where every possession, every decision, and every detail matters. You don't get second chances in the postseason. I loved our focus today, but now it's about tightening the screws—because from here on out, the margin for error is razor thin."
Up Next
Saturday night, the Saints will wrap up the regular season at home against Indiana Tech in a battle to determine the No. 2 seed in the WHAC Tournament. It will also be senior night for Coach Treppa's squad, the game is set for a 7:00 pm start.
The game will be streamed live on the AQSaints YouTube Network, with Joey Sutherlin on the call.
Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live stats, streaming links, and full postgame coverage of AQ Men's Lacrosse and all Saints sports.
