By Grace Malec, Asst. Editor-in-Chief
Liam Inman catches the ball – Photo by Grace Malec
Saturday, Oct. 31 marked the beginning of conference playoffs for Aquinas Men’s Rugby. After a close regular season match-up against the Indiana Tech Warriors, the two teams would meet again in Big Rivers Rugby Conference semifinals play. The Saints beat the Warriors by a narrow 32 to 29 earlier this season, riding on a 5-1 record, the Saints were looking to come out with an even bigger statement.
The Saints found their dominance towards the end of the first half of the match-up, with six saints all scoring. Jacob Easterling, Liam Inman, Xavier Tito-Nekeare, Mason Maczuga, Trayvon Mathis and Liam Scott-Pages all found their names on the score sheet for the Saints.
Easterling had two tries while Inman had two tries, and five conversions, earning the Saints 20 points.
Semifinals are never easy, so to win like that shows what this team is capable of,” Inman said. “We are heading into an even bigger game this weekend as we compete in the conference finals for the first time in program history. A massive achievement for the team, but our job’s not finished.”
Xavier Tito-Nekeare catches the ball for the Saints – Photo by Grace Malec
The Saints came out with the victory against Indiana Tech, making an even bigger statement with a final score of 50 to 13, and making history.
The team earned its first conference finals appearance in program history and are back to putting in work for this upcoming weekend.
“I think the boys are excited about our upcoming game this weekend and excited to make Aquinas rugby history,” senior Riley Lovenberg said. “We have a good squad right now and a healthy amount of guys that are ready to put in some work to make this team stronger. The boys are primed and ready for the playoffs now.”
The team will take on the Marian University Knights on the road in Chicago, Ill. at 4:45 p.m. on Nov. 7 for the Big Rivers Rugby Conference final.
