Washington, D.C. — The road to the nation's capital wasn't built overnight. It was forged over a long road of belief, grit, and a willingness to take the harder path. From day one, Coach Lance Hohaia's vision for Aquinas Men's Rugby was about more than just competing — it was about building a program that could step onto the biggest stages and belong.

This weekend, the Saints didn't just show up at the Men's Rugby National Tournament.

They proved they belong.

In many ways, the five-match stretch mirrored the 2025–26 season itself — flashes of brilliance, moments of adversity, and a response that speaks volumes about the culture inside the program. It wasn't perfect. But it was real, it was competitive, and it was another step forward for a program that continues to climb.

Game 1 — Mary Washington 21, Aquinas 0
The tournament opener came fast — and so did Mary Washington. The Saints found themselves down 14–0 inside the opening five minutes after a pair of early breakdowns. It was a rare slow start for an Aquinas side that has made discipline and structure its foundation.

As the match settled, so did AQ. The defensive shape tightened, the physicality increased, and the Saints began to generate attacking opportunities. There were stretches where momentum hinted at a shift, but penalties at key moments and a handful of handling errors prevented a breakthrough. Mary Washington added a late try to seal the result at 21–0.

It wasn't the start the Saints envisioned — but it quickly became fuel.

Game 2 — Aquinas 36, Delaware 0
Championship-caliber teams respond. Aquinas did exactly that.

From the opening whistle, the Saints were sharp, composed, and relentless. Gavin Thompson led the charge with a pair of tries, while Trayvon Mathis, Liam Inman, Marcel Denysschen, and Dominic Zavala each added to a balanced and explosive attack.

AQ built a 24–0 halftime advantage by controlling possession, winning the breakdown, and dictating tempo. The defensive effort matched the offensive execution, shutting down Delaware's opportunities and keeping constant pressure on the opposition.

The second half continued the trend — composed, physical, and efficient. It was a complete performance and a statement response.

Game 3 — Kentucky 19, Aquinas 14 (OT)
This one had everything.

Xavier Tito-Nekeare electrified the match with a full-field try, showcasing elite pace and vision to give the Saints an early spark. Kentucky responded in the second half to level the score at 7–7, but AQ answered again when Trayvon Mathis found space on the outside to push the Saints back in front, 14–7.

Kentucky battled back with a late score to tie things at 14–14, sending the match into golden-point overtime. After winning the toss and taking possession, Kentucky applied sustained pressure. The Saints answered with gritty, physical defense, stringing together critical stops before Kentucky finally broke through for the deciding score.

A heartbreaking finish — but also a match that reinforced Aquinas' ability to compete at a high level in pressure moments.

Game 4 — Aquinas 29, Wisconsin 12
The response? Immediate.

Aquinas controlled the tempo from the outset, with Sam Whitmore opening the scoring and Trayvon Mathis adding a dynamic individual try that highlighted his ability to create in space.

Wisconsin kept things within reach at 10–7 at halftime, but the second half belonged entirely to the Saints — and to Marcel Denysschen.

Denyschen delivered one of the standout performances of the weekend, recording a hat trick and consistently breaking through the Wisconsin defense. His blend of power, agility, and finishing ability proved too much to handle as AQ pulled away.

It was composed, confident rugby — the kind that defines winning teams.

Game 5 — Aquinas 38, Rio Grande 7
If there was a way to finish, this was it.

Facing a Rio Grande team that had defeated them just two weeks earlier, the Saints came out with purpose, urgency, and emotion — especially for the seniors making their final run.

Marcel Denysschen opened the scoring, setting the tone early. Liam Inman added a second-half double, Trayvon Mathis continued his standout weekend with another try on the edge, and Xavier Tito-Nekeare once again showcased his explosiveness in space. Luke Dominey capped the effort as AQ controlled the match from start to finish.

It was the Saints' most complete performance of the tournament — and the perfect way to close the weekend with a 38–7 victory.

Saying Goodbye to Super Seniors
Every program has a foundation — and for Aquinas, that foundation was built by a group that believed from the very beginning.

Zach Bester, Archie Fleming, Jack O'Malley, and Marcel Denysschen have been part of this journey since its early stages, buying into a vision and helping shape the identity of AQ Men's Rugby. Their contributions go beyond the scoreboard. They set the tone for what it means to compete, to lead, and to represent Aquinas the right way.

They helped build this program into what it is today — a team that competes with confidence on a national stage.

They will be missed. But their legacy is firmly cemented in the culture they helped create.

Saints Snapshots
    • Answering the Bell — After a tough opener, AQ responded by going 3–1 the rest of the weekend, showing resilience that defines this program.
    • Statement Wins — Three victories by 17+ points, including a dominant finish against Rio Grande, highlighted AQ's ability to control matches.
    • Denysschen's Final Run — A career-capping weekend, including a hat trick vs. Wisconsin and consistent attacking pressure across all five matches.
    • Mathis on the Edge — Speed, vision, and playmaking made Trayvon Mathis a constant threat in space throughout the tournament.
    • Finding Their Form — Defensive structure tightened as the weekend progressed, fueling AQ's strongest performances late.
    • Built for This Stage — Five matches, high-level competition, and the Saints never backed down — proving they belong in this conversation.

Coach's Comments
"This has been the most successful year in our program's history, and I couldn't be more proud of the progress we've made," said Head Coach Lance Hohaia. "Five years ago, we chose to build this the right way — from the ground up — while competing at a high level. To see how far Aquinas Rugby has come in such a short time is incredibly rewarding. It's been a privilege to work with student-athletes who buy in, compete hard, and represent this program with pride. The direction we're heading is something we're all excited about."

Up Next
This weekend closes the chapter on the 2025–26 season — but it also sets the tone for what's ahead.

With summer camps, recruiting, and planning already underway — including what is shaping up to be the largest incoming class in program history — Aquinas Men's Rugby is positioned to take another step forward. The foundation is strong, the culture is established, and the belief continues to grow.

To the players, coaches, and everyone behind the scenes — thank you for a season that elevated the standard and strengthened the program.

And if this weekend proved anything, it's this:

The future of Aquinas Men's Rugby is bright — and it's just getting started.

Thank you for reminding us all in the AQ community, why every day, is a great day to be a Saint!!