GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. The Aquinas men's rugby team did not have far to travel on Homecoming Saturday. Davenport is just up the street, but after last week's 40-7 win at Michigan, the Panthers presented a different kind of road test. The Saints met it head-on, taking a lead into halftime before Davenport's second-half pressure turned a crosstown battle into an 18-7 loss.
Davenport 18, Aquinas 7
The two sides matched each other physically through a tight opening 15 minutes. Davenport struck first with a penalty kick to go ahead 3-0, but Aquinas stayed composed and began to gain ground behind its forward pack. That work created an opening for Liam Inman, who broke through the Panthers' defense for a try. Inman added the conversion, sending the Saints into halftime with a 7-3 lead.
Davenport returned with more pressure after the break, and the Saints had to defend for long stretches inside their own half. AQ held firm through the early stages of the second half before the Panthers broke through for a try. Davenport later capitalized on a loose ball at scrum time to extend its lead.
Aquinas still found chances to challenge the Panthers' defense. Inman, Gavin Thompson, Sam Whitmore and Darryl Lunon each made an impact carrying the ball when the Saints had possession. After another strong defensive stand, Inman appeared to race down the sideline for a second try, but the score was disallowed.
The Saints kept competing through the final whistle against a quality Davenport side. Their first-half physicality and defensive work gave them a lead on the road, while the second half showed where they will need sharper attacking execution and better exits from their own half. AQ now turns its attention to another road trip next Saturday at Indiana Tech.
To watch the AQ vs. Davenport game, click here.
Saints Snapshots
- Homecoming, up the street: Aquinas took its Homecoming Saturday match-up across town to face rival Davenport.
- The forwards set the table: AQ's work up front helped create the opening for Liam Inman's first-half try.
- Inman put the Saints ahead: He converted his own try to give Aquinas a 7-3 halftime lead.
- One that did not count: Inman appeared to find the sideline for another second-half score, but the try was disallowed.
Coach's Comments
Aquinas head coach Lance Hohaia liked the way his team defended and carried the ball early. He also saw where Davenport changed the match after halftime and what the Saints must improve before their next road trip.
"I thought we were really good defensively in the first half, and we carried the ball well for the first 30-odd minutes of the game. In the second half we lost our way a little bit. Davenport increased their intensity and put more pressure on our attack with their line speed, and we struggled to get out of our own half for long periods. We didn't exit particularly well, and that's an area we need to improve.
"Overall, though, I was pleased with the performance against a quality opposition. The effort and resilience were there, and there are plenty of positives for us to build on going into next week." — Aquinas head coach Lance Hohaia
Up Next
The Aquinas men's rugby team travels to Fort Wayne next Saturday to face Indiana Tech. The match is expected to be available on the AQSaints YouTube Network, either live or on tape delay; broadcast details will be announced when confirmed.
Visit AQSaints.com for streaming links and complete coverage of Aquinas men's rugby and all other Saints sports.
It's a great day to be a Saint.
