By Grace Malec, Sports Editor
After falling short in the National Bowl Final last season in Maryland during their “seven’s season,” the Aquinas Men’s Rugby Team are ready for a redemption season. Following losing by a meager two points to the University Notre Dame in April, the Saints are win hungry.
Saturday, Sept. 14 marked the start of the season for the men’s rugby team; opening their season at home against the Purdue University Boilermakers. In addition to starting their season, the men’s rugby team also hosted the student section game of the week. Students showed out to support their fellow Saints and the crowd was roaring with excitement.
After four 20 minute quarters, the Saints successfully completed a shutout against the Boilermakers, taking the match 68 – 0. It was an all team effort as several players made tries against Purdue, with Jacob Easterling, Zach Bester, Blake Isenhoff, Nathan Shaffer, Gavin Thompson, Trayvon Mathis, George Kilsby and Archie Fleming all putting points on the board for Aquinas through tries. Archie Fleming and Jack O’Malley consistently contributed to the score by completing successful conversions for the Saints.
Not only was this a big win for the Saints as a whole, but senior Jacob Easterling also earned a hat trick (when a player scores three tries in one period of play).
The Saints have been putting in work this off-season to ensure they are the strongest they can be, and it was clear in the way they played. George Kilsby, a freshman member of the rugby team said “To prepare for success this upcoming season, the men’s rugby team followed a thorough off-season program”. The team worked on both their conditioning and strength work as a part of this program to ensure the team was able to hit the ground running as soon as they were on campus. In addition to strength and conditioning, Kilsby attributes the team’s resilience to their famous “speed sessions.” “These sessions push the fellas much past their physical limits,” Kilsby said. All of the training sessions and hard work that the team has put in has evidently led to the team’s resilience and success already this early in the season. It is for certain that this will be a team to watch this year as they flourish.
The Men’s Rugby continue their fifteen’s season by playing the Davenport University Panthers at home (Highland Park) on Oct. fifth and then hit the road to play the Marian University Knights in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Photos Below
The Saints Rugby Team work together to secure a home opener win – Photo by Grace Malec
The Saints restart play in a scrum against the Purdue University Boilermakers – Photo by Grace Malec
Saints Rugby Coach, Lance Hohaia, talks the team through plays in between periods – Photo by Grace Malec
The Saint 