Facing wind and a cold rain, as well as a physical Lindenwood – Belleville squad, the Lions earned a 29-10 victory Saturday night at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Missouri. 
 
The Lynx were able to get some big hits on Lindenwood in the opening 20 minutes, in part due to some poorly developed offense, as the Lions were trying to pass the ball wide before first creating an overload.  Both teams traded tries in the early going until Lindenwood finally settled into its formula. 
 
Senior flanker Wes Parker described how the Lions found their rhythm.
 
"After the first 15 minutes, we were able to settle in and take control," he said.  "Our set piece was working well and our forward pack dominated the contact area.  Our backs were able to capitalize and find space to work their magic."
 
Parker had a journeyman's effort in the trenches himself as the Lindenwood forwards won the day with strong set pieces and calculated defense. Freshman second row MJ Spangenberg was towering in both attacking and defending lineouts.
 
By halftime, the Lions led 22-5 and never let the visitors sniff a lead the rest of the way. The elements created grief for both sides, highlighted by a beautiful kick-pass to space from flyhalf Andreas Livadaras that wing Sam Chapman was unable to haul in due to the conditions. 
 
Lindenwood scored one try in the second half and Belleville worked for a well-deserved score just before the buzzer for the final margin. 
 
Another Lions side took on the St Louis Ramblers, a Division 3 men's club, earlier in the week on Thursday, and sailed to an 80-3 victory.  It was another affair affected by the weather, but the young Lions squad was up to the challenge.  Senior Patrick McLeroy led the team with cool decision making and great tactical kicking. Lindenwood loaded up on tries in both stanzas, mostly through their freshmen.
 
"I thought everyone played really well," McLeroy said. "I'm proud of the boys and I think a lot of them put their hands up to play at the next level."
 
Multiple Lindenwood players scored, but the Lions were led by freshman flyhalf Preston Hammerschmidt, who dotted four times.  The conversions were handled by Deven Mason, who went 10/13 on the night.
 
Junior Gabe Rendon took over as captain in the second half and continued the positive leadership. The set piece platforms were stable all night which allowed the scoreboard to keep ticking.
 
With the two wins, Lindenwood improved to 3-1 overall.  The Lions head to the road for matches November 9 and 10.  They'll face the University of Delaware at 7 p.m. Friday at Frazer Field in Wilmington, Delaware, then challenge the U.S. Naval Academy twice on Saturday, first at 11 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m. match, with both played at Prusmack Rugby Complex in Annapolis, Maryland.