Grand Rapids, Mich. — The road back to the national tournament did not begin in May.
It began in disappointment.
It began in frustration.
It began in the quiet moments following the 2025 season when the Aquinas College men's lacrosse team watched the NAIA National Championship field announced without hearing its name called.
That moment stayed with Head Coach Peter Treppa and the Saints throughout the offseason.
Every lift.
Every conditioning session.
Every film breakdown.
Every practice rep.
Everything this team has accomplished during the 2026 season traces back to that feeling.
Now, one year later, the Saints are heading to the biggest stage in NAIA lacrosse after putting together one of the most impressive, battle-tested, and emotionally-driven seasons in program history.
From May 12–16, Aquinas will compete in the 2026 NAIA Men's Lacrosse National Championship at the Jack Allen Sports Complex in Decatur as one of the final eight teams remaining in the chase for a national championship.
And the Saints believe they belong there.
Built Through Adversity
The 2026 Saints were never handed anything.
Not in the nation's toughest conference.
Not against one of the nation's most demanding schedules.
Not while battling injuries and adversity throughout the spring.
Yet somehow, every difficult moment strengthened the identity of this team instead of breaking it apart.
"We've grown through everything this season," Treppa said. "The injuries, the tough stretches, the pressure games, the emotional losses — all of it brought this team closer together. This group genuinely believes in each other. They've continued to fight for one another every single day."
That toughness defined the Saints all season long.
AQ finished the regular season 14-3 overall while earning the No. 3 national ranking and the No. 3 seed in the NAIA National Championship bracket.
Seven of Aquinas' 14 victories came against nationally-ranked opponents.
The Saints didn't build their resume on soft competition.
They earned it the hard way.
Surviving The WHAC Gauntlet
Week after week, the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference proved why many viewed it as the premier league in NAIA men's lacrosse.
Top-ranked Madonna went unbeaten in league play and held the No. 1 ranking.
Indiana Tech remained nationally relevant all season.
Taylor consistently challenged elite programs.
And Aquinas stood right in the middle of it all.
The Saints finished 10-2 in WHAC play, with their only regular season losses coming against No. 1 Madonna, while still securing the No. 3 national ranking.
Along the way, AQ knocked off then-No. 2 Cumberlands and defeated Indiana Tech twice.
"A lot of people around the country saw the WHAC this year and understood just how difficult it was every single week," Treppa said. "There were no easy games. Our guys embraced that challenge all season long."
One Of The Nation's Most Explosive Offenses
Aquinas unleashed one of the most dangerous offenses in the NAIA.
The Saints scored 290 goals in 17 games — over 17 per contest — and topped 20 goals seven times.
They can run.
They can grind.
And when momentum swings, they can bury teams in waves.
TJ Murphy — The Engine
Murphy delivered a dominant season with 61 goals and 91 points, earning First Team All-WHAC honors and multiple conference and national weekly awards.
"TJ is one of the fiercest competitors I've ever coached," Treppa said. "He brings intensity to every single possession."
Braeden Williams — The Breakout Star
Williams added 55 goals and 84 points while becoming one of the toughest matchups in the country.
His late-season surge helped define AQ's push toward nationals.
Collin Wildman — The Heartbeat
Wildman's 34 goals, 28 assists, and four game-winners only tell part of the story.
His toughness, leadership, and two-way play anchored AQ's identity.
Wave After Wave Of Weapons
Oliver Modderman (31 goals), Mitchell Pridgeon (26), Ian Wright (35 points), and Jake Koning (20 goals in 13 games) gave AQ relentless depth, with key contributions from Brandon Klingelsmith, Ben Cash, Cory Holmes, and Evan Doan.
This isn't one star.
It's sustained pressure.
Defense Wins Championships
AQ's defense became one of the most disruptive units in the NAIA.
The Saints forced 185 caused turnovers while controlling tempo with physical play and aggressive riding pressure.
Jaiden Woodson and Joe Bryson anchored the unit, earning All-WHAC honors, while Blake Szymanski, Tobin Brems, Cooper Croskey, TJ Steenland, and Jack Lustig provided depth, toughness, and consistency.
At the faceoff stripe, William Larriuz dominated with 252 wins and 126 ground balls.
In goal, Austin Hynote delivered steady leadership in high-pressure moments.
"When your goalie is calm and steady, it spreads throughout the entire team," Treppa said.
The Hidden Details Championship Teams Need
Championship lacrosse is won in the margins.
Ground balls.
Faceoffs.
Clears.
Extra-man execution.
Effort between the lines.
Aquinas excelled in all of it.
The Saints collected 665 ground balls, forced 185 turnovers, and consistently created extra possessions.
They scored 35 extra-man goals while allowing just 15.
"These guys understand that championships are decided by details," Treppa said.
And sometimes, those details show up when nobody is watching.
As I walked through campus on Wednesday, grabbing lunch in the main dining area, I saw something that said everything about this team. Multiple AQ men's lacrosse players sat together, laptops open, locked in on scouting film of SCAD Savannah. No coaches. No required session. Just players taking ownership. It was a powerful reminder that even outside of practice, lifting, and meetings, this group is fully committed to one goal — winning a national championship. Seeing that level of focus doesn't just make you proud — it gives you confidence that Coach Treppa's squad is truly chasing a red banner for Aquinas.
Recognition From The WHAC To The NAIA
The Saints' success was not only reflected inside the WHAC.
It was recognized nationally.
TJ Murphy earned First Team All-WHAC honors, while Braeden Williams, Collin Wildman, William Larriuz, Jaiden Woodson, and Joe Bryson all captured Second Team All-WHAC recognition.
Throughout the spring, AQ players were repeatedly recognized among the conference's elite.
Murphy captured WHAC Offensive Player of the Week honors three separate times during the 2026 season, continuing to establish himself as one of the most dynamic midfielders in the NAIA.
Williams added two WHAC Offensive Player of the Week selections after a dominant late-season stretch that helped propel the Saints toward the national tournament.
Defensively, Austin Hynote earned WHAC Defensive Player of the Week honors entering postseason play, while Wildman also captured a conference defensive weekly honor earlier in the season following several standout two-way performances.
That recognition reached the national level as well.
Murphy earned NAIA Offensive Player of the Week honors twice during the season, while Williams also captured a national weekly award after a spectacular late-season run.
In total, Aquinas produced three NAIA Offensive Player of the Week selections during the 2026 season — another reflection of the national respect this program earned throughout the spring.
The Saints didn't just win.
They were recognized.
Deep Dive: Breaking Down SCAD Savannah
If Aquinas is battle tested, SCAD Savannah is battle hardened.
The Bees arrive at 14-4 overall with a 7-2 conference record, bringing a resume filled with high-level wins, tight finishes, and postseason-tested experience.
Their most recent outing tells the story.
A triple-overtime, 12-11 loss in the AAC semifinals — a game that stretched across seven periods and showcased both their resilience and their ability to compete deep into pressure moments.
SCAD built a lead.
Watched it disappear.
Responded late.
And pushed the game into overtime with their season on the line.
That experience matters.
Offensive Firepower With Multiple Entry Points
Mason Hickman headlines the attack as one of the most dangerous scorers in the NAIA.
He has the ability to take over games late — and often does.
But SCAD's strength is balance.
Sebastian Manuel drives the offense as a facilitator.
Jonathan O'Bryant Graves creates matchup problems across the field.
Noah Moreland and Travis Cheristin provide depth that keeps defenses from focusing on just one option.
This is a unit that can score in bursts — and sustain pressure.
Faceoffs and Possession: The X-Factor
Lucas Martinez has been one of the most dominant faceoff specialists in the country.
His ability to control possession can dictate tempo and limit opponent opportunities.
That sets up a pivotal matchup:
William Larriuz vs. Lucas Martinez
Two elite specialists.
Two teams that value possessions.
One battle that could swing the entire game.
Defense That Adjusts — Not Just Reacts
SCAD's defense is physical and adaptable.
When they control tempo, they are disciplined and efficient.
When forced into pace and transition, they can be vulnerable.
Their early-season match-up against Madonna showed how dangerous a fast start can be against them — something Aquinas will look to replicate.
A Team That Has Seen Everything
SCAD has played every type of game this season.
Blowouts.
Tight wins.
Comebacks.
Overtime battles.
They are experienced, resilient, and dangerous in any situation.
What This Means for Aquinas
This is a match-up of identity.
Aquinas thrives in pace, pressure, and chaos.
SCAD thrives in structure, possession, and control.
Whichever team dictates the style will likely dictate the outcome.
Three Keys to the Game
1. Win the Faceoff Battle (or Neutralize It)
Limiting SCAD's possession advantage is critical.
2. Start Fast, Stay Aggressive
Early momentum can put SCAD in uncomfortable territory.
3. Own the Hidden Details
Ground balls, clears, and extra-man opportunities will decide this game.
Players to Watch
Aquinas — TJ Murphy
The emotional engine who can take over stretches of the game.
Aquinas — William Larriuz
A true difference-maker at the faceoff stripe.
SCAD — Mason Hickman
The closer and primary scoring threat.
SCAD — Lucas Martinez
A possession driver who can control tempo.
Saints Snapshots
· Battle Tested: AQ defeated seven nationally-ranked opponents
· WHAC Power: 10-2 in the nation's toughest conference
· Elite Company: No. 3 national ranking entering nationals
· National Respect: Multiple NAIA weekly honors
· Dynamic Duo: Murphy & Williams combined for 175 points
· Possession Control: Larriuz dominated at the faceoff stripe
· Hidden Hustle: 665 ground balls, 185 caused turnovers
· Special Teams Edge: +20 goal differential on extra-man
· Locked In: Player-led film study reflects championship focus
· Championship Mindset: AQ believes it can win it all
Up Next
The Saints open play at the 2026 NAIA Men's Lacrosse National Championship on Tuesday, May 12 against SCAD Savannah at 7:00 p.m. CDT in Decatur, Alabama. Follow along on AQSaints.com for updates, stats, and coverage. If you can't be there, we stream there.
It's a great day to be a Saint.
