Decatur, Ala. — The buildup was insane. The game could not come soon enough. The films had been watched, the practices had been run, the scouting reports had been memorized and the emotions had been building for days. Coaches were prepared. Players were locked in. The AQ faithful were ready.
Now came the battle.
This was not a challenging regular-season game in March or April. This was the NAIA Men's Lacrosse National Quarterfinals between the Bees of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and your Aquinas College Saints. Epic and intense are probably underselling the level of action fans from both schools were treated to Tuesday evening at Jack Allen Complex.
SCAD 13, Aquinas 11
For 60 emotional, physical and unforgettable minutes, Aquinas College left absolutely everything it had on the field.
The Saints battled one of the top remaining teams in the nation punch-for-punch, controlled stretches of the game, held a four-goal lead midway through the third quarter and fought until the very final horn. Unfortunately for AQ, a late SCAD surge proved just enough to end the Saints' remarkable 2026 season one step shy of the NAIA Final Four.
And yet, despite the pain that comes with a season-ending loss, nobody wearing maroon and white should hang their heads.
Not after a season like this.
The opening moments immediately showed this was going to be a heavyweight fight. SCAD struck first, but in a moment that perfectly symbolized the resiliency of this AQ squad, William Larriuz answered just three seconds later with a goal that ignited the Saints sideline and settled any nerves on the national stage.
From there, Aquinas continued to trade blows throughout a frantic opening quarter. Collin Wildman gave AQ its first lead off a feed from Ian Wright, while Braeden Williams buried another late in the frame as the Saints and Bees ended the opening 15 minutes deadlocked at 3-3.
Then came one of the best quarters of lacrosse AQ played all season long.
The Saints absolutely exploded in the second quarter.
TJ Murphy opened the scoring less than 70 seconds into the period before Oliver Modderman added another off a beautiful Wright assist. Mitchell Pridgeon and Dillon Wieschhorster followed with huge momentum-building goals and Murphy capped the half with another strike in the final minute as AQ stormed into halftime holding a commanding 8-4 lead.
At that point, the dream felt incredibly real.
The Saints were flying around defensively. Austin Hynote was making key saves in net. Larriuz was battling relentlessly at the faceoff stripe. Ground balls were being won. Momentum was swinging AQ's way and the Saints looked every bit like a team capable of playing for a national championship.
But national quarterfinal games are rarely decided easily.
SCAD answered with a massive push in the third quarter.
The Bees scored three straight goals to tighten the contest before Braeden Williams delivered a massive man-up goal to temporarily stop the momentum and push AQ back ahead 9-5. Wildman later added another huge goal to extend the Saints advantage to 10-6 with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter.
Then the momentum changed in a flash.
SCAD scored three goals in the final 94 seconds of the third quarter, including one with just two seconds left before the horn, suddenly trimming a four-goal AQ advantage into a razor-thin 10-9 game entering the final quarter.
And from there, every possession felt massive.
The Bees tied the game early in the fourth quarter before eventually grabbing the lead with 6:30 to play. But fittingly for a team that never stopped fighting all season long, TJ Murphy answered with another clutch goal to tie the game back up at 11-11 with 5:38 remaining.
Unfortunately for the Saints, SCAD had the final answer.
The Bees scored twice in the final three minutes and survived one last AQ push to escape with the 13-11 victory and advance to the NAIA semifinals.
Murphy once again led the Saints offensively with three goals, while Williams and Wildman each added two goals. Larriuz, Modderman, Pridgeon and Wieschhorster also scored for AQ in the balanced attack. Wright added two assists, while Larriuz dominated at the X throughout the afternoon, winning 16 faceoffs and collecting a game-high 11 ground balls.
Defensively, Hynote battled through all 60 minutes and recorded nine saves against a relentless SCAD offensive attack.
And while Tuesday's result officially ends the season, it does not erase what this team accomplished.
This AQ squad finished 14-4, spent the year among the elite programs in the NAIA, earned national respect, developed young stars, collected major postseason honors and represented Aquinas College with passion, toughness and class every single step of the way.
Simply put — this team mattered.
And this team is not done building something special.
Thank you to Head Coach Peter Treppa and every player on this roster for giving absolutely everything you had this season. The Saints collected more accolades than there is room to list, and with so many young impact players expected to return, do not be shocked if AQ finds itself right back on this stage 12 months from now.
Saints Snapshots
- A Champion's Final Swing — National Player of the Year TJ Murphy emptied the tank one final time Tuesday afternoon, scoring three goals and refusing to let the Saints go quietly on the national stage.
- The Saints Owned the First Half — Aquinas turned a 3-3 opening quarter deadlock into an 8-4 halftime advantage, stunning SCAD with one of AQ's strongest stretches of lacrosse all season long.
- Larriuz Was Everywhere — Faceoffs. Ground balls. Momentum plays. William Larriuz delivered one of the grittiest performances of the year while also adding a goal in the opening quarter. The junior All-American finished with 11 ground balls and won 16 faceoffs.
- A Team That Never Blinked — Even after SCAD stormed back, the Saints answered every punch they could. AQ tied the game at 11-11 with under six minutes remaining because this group simply refused to fold.
- The Future Is Still Bright in Maroon & White — The scary part for the rest of the NAIA? This AQ squad was not senior-heavy. The Saints are expected to return double-digit starters from a national quarterfinal team, including 2026 NAIA Player of the Year TJ Murphy.
- More Than A Scoreboard — Tuesday's final score will be remembered. But so will the passion, brotherhood, toughness and pride this team carried every single day representing Aquinas College.
Coach's Comments
After the game, a visibly emotional Head Coach Peter Treppa reflected less on the final score and more on the journey his team shared together throughout the season.
"This game hurts because these guys cared so much. They invested everything they had into each other and into this program. But I reminded them that this game does not define who they are. This season showed exactly who they are. Tough. Passionate. Selfless. Proud to wear Aquinas across their chest. We proved we belong on this stage and we're going to use this experience to keep building something special. I could not be more proud of this group."
Up Next
There is no tomorrow for this team, as an amazing and magical season has come to a conclusion.
But when the tears dry and the sun comes up tomorrow morning, every man on this roster can look in the mirror and be proud of what this team accomplished and how well they represented themselves, their brothers, the AQ Men's Lacrosse program and most importantly Aquinas College. No final score can ever take that away.
As I walked on the field after the heartbreaking contest had ended, seeing the raw emotion and heartbreak pouring out of forty-something young men, one thing became crystal clear — AQ Men's Lacrosse did not lose Tuesday afternoon.
Did the Saints end up on the short end of the scoreboard against an elite SCAD squad? Yes.
But by their actions, their toughness, their class, and the way they embodied the pillars of both the NAIA and Aquinas College, this team proved they are champions in every way that truly matters. I am proud to be associated with these young men and thankful for the ride they gave all of us this season.
What a year.
Thank you Coach Treppa.
Thank you AQ Men's Lacrosse.
And to the rest of the WHAC and the NAIA landscape in 2027 — fair warning. With over double-digit players with quality experience and talent expected back, including the National Player of the Year, this is not the end.
This is simply the end of one unforgettable chapter.
Thank you for reminding all of us why every single day truly is a great day to be a Saint.
