AQ M Lax downs ITU for 2nd in the WHAC, head to the tournament
Photo courtesy of Calvin Willson
7
Indiana Tech INDIANA 10-7, 8-4
11
Winner Aquinas (MI) AQUINAS 14-2, 10-2
Indiana Tech INDIANA
10-7, 8-4
7
Final
11
Aquinas (MI) AQUINAS
14-2, 10-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Indiana Tech INDIANA 0 2 2 3 7
Aquinas (MI) AQUINAS 4 4 2 1 11

Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse | | Joey Sutherlin, Assistant AD - Director of Athletic Communications

Built for This Moment: Saints Surge Past Indiana Tech, Carry Momentum Into WHAC Playoffs

Senior Night Surge: Aquinas Dominates Early, Finishes Strong in 11-7 Win

Grand Rapids, Mich. — It had everything you could possibly want on a late-April Saturday at Aquinas. Senior Night. A top-10 showdown. A fight for second place in the WHAC. And for the third-ranked Saints, another opportunity to prove that this season is not just special… it's building toward something unforgettable.

#3 Aquinas 11, #8 Indiana Tech 7

From the opening whistle, Aquinas didn't just play — they imposed their will.

The Saints stormed out of the gate with the kind of first quarter that sets a tone and sends a message across the conference. Oliver Modderman opened the scoring off a beautiful feed from Ian Wright, and from there, the avalanche began. Wright followed with a goal of his own, TJ Murphy added a helper, and Collin Wildman buried back-to-back finishes — including a man-up strike — as AQ jumped to a commanding 4-0 lead after one.

It wasn't just the offense clicking — it was everything. Ground balls, clears, faceoffs, defensive pressure — the Saints dictated every inch of the field.

By the time the second quarter hit full stride, Aquinas turned control into domination.

After Indiana Tech briefly found the scoreboard, the Saints answered immediately — the hallmark of elite teams. Murphy ripped home an unassisted goal, Modderman added another on the extra-man opportunity, and then struck again to complete a first-half hat trick. Wildman capped the half with his third of the day, finishing a slick setup from Wright, as AQ took an 8-2 lead into the break.

That first half was as complete as it gets — offense humming, defense suffocating, and special teams capitalizing.

The third quarter tested that dominance — and revealed even more about this team.

Indiana Tech pushed, trimming the lead to 8-4, but every time the Warriors looked ready to make it interesting, Aquinas had an answer. Modderman delivered his fourth goal of the afternoon, and just seconds later, Braeden Williams struck off a faceoff sequence set up by William Larriuz — a perfect example of how quickly AQ can flip momentum.

That sequence? That's championship lacrosse.

The fourth quarter became about control, composure, and closing.

Williams added his second goal of the day early in the period — part of a four-point performance — pushing the lead to 11-4. From there, the Saints defense locked in. Despite a late push from the Warriors, Austin Hynote stood tall in the cage with 18 saves, backed by relentless defensive work from Jack Lustig, Collin Wildman, Tobin Brems, Max Sist, and the entire unit.

Possession battles? AQ won them.
Ground balls? AQ owned them.
Faceoffs? AQ controlled them.

It wasn't just a win — it was a complete, four-quarter statement from a team peaking at exactly the right time.

With the victory, Aquinas improves to 14-2 overall and 10-2 in WHAC play, while Indiana Tech closes the regular season at 10-7 overall and 8-4 in conference, and more importantly, the Saints carry undeniable momentum into postseason play.

Celebrating the Super Saints on Senior Night

Before the opening whistle, the focus shifted — as it should — to the group that helped build this moment.

Seven seniors. Seven stories. One brotherhood.

Cooper Croskey, escorted by his parents David and Melissa, reflected on a signature win over Concordia and reminded the next generation with a simple truth: you are why you are where you are.

Oliver Modderman, joined by Brent and Megan, is headed to Cleveland for a strategic sales role with BrightEdge — but not before leaving his mark all over AQ lacrosse, including a four-goal Senior Night performance that felt fitting.

Chase Haggerty, escorted by Paul and Cindy, will serve in the United States Coast Guard before pursuing cardiology — a path built on passion and purpose.

Jacob Halaas, with Jason and Corrine by his side, spoke about brotherhood — the kind that lasts long after the final whistle — as he prepares for a future in project management.

Beau Craig, escorted by his mother Wendy, will stay in Grand Rapids pursuing software engineering, carrying with him memories of team traditions and the importance of enjoying the journey.

Austin Hynote, alongside Sirrena and Scott, plans to stay in the game — coaching and building a future rooted in lacrosse — a fitting continuation for the Saints' backbone in goal.

And Jack Lustig, with Robert and Julie, will remain in Grand Rapids, a defensive cornerstone whose message was as real as it gets: handle your business… and don't get stuck in the DAM LIBRARY.

They came for lacrosse.
They stayed for the brothers.
They leave as Super Saints.

Saints Snapshots

    • The opening quarter wasn't just a start — it was a statement. AQ punched first, faster, and harder, building a 4-0 lead and never allowing Indiana Tech to settle into the game.

    • Championship response — every time Indiana Tech found a spark, the Saints answered within minutes, refusing to let momentum even think about changing sidelines.

    • Senior Night stars — Modderman's four goals, Wildman's all-over-the-field impact, and Hynote's command in net highlighted a veteran group that delivered when the moment demanded it.

    • The Larriuz effect — faceoff wins turned into instant offense, including a lightning-quick goal sequence that broke the game open in the third quarter.

    • Defense travels — from Lustig to Brems to Sist and beyond, AQ's defensive unit didn't just stop possessions, they disrupted rhythm and forced frustration.

    • Depth is dangerous — five different goal scorers, contributions across every unit, and a bench that continues to prove this team is built for a long postseason run.

Coach's Comments

Following the win, head coach Peter Treppa reflected on the emotion of Senior Night, the performance of his team, and the reality that the biggest challenges are still ahead:

"Tonight was about our seniors, and I couldn't be more proud of the way they led — not just today, but all year. This group has built something special through consistency, toughness, and belief in each other. But we all know the job isn't done. The road only gets harder from here, and that's exactly how we want it. Now it's about heart, discipline, and trusting who we are every single step of the way."

Up Next

The win over Indiana Tech earns Aquinas a first-round bye in the WHAC Tournament and the right to host a quarterfinal matchup on Thursday.

The Saints will welcome the winner of Tuesday's matchup between #3 seeded Indiana Tech and #6 seeded Lawrence Tech, with game time still to be announced.

If you can't be there, we stream there.

Catch all the action 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 postseason coverage.

Because right now?

It's a great day to be a Saint.

 

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