The U20 rugby squad traveled on back-to-back days for the first time this season and passed the test with an 82-0 shutout of the University of Central Missouri Friday night in Warrensburg, Missouri, followed by a 71-5 victory over Southern Illinois Saturday afternoon in Carbondale, Illinois. 
 
In the first match, the young Lions showed the type of tenacity and grit that creates excitement throughout the entire program. Alejandro Martinez Tapia delivered a bone crushing hit on the receiving player to get things started. From there, the defensive unit continued to hold strong for numerous phases and they managed to create a turnover that led to a Siaosi Nauer try for a 7-0 Lindenwood lead.   
 
Martinez Tapia carried his dominance from the defensive side over to the attack, resulting in two tries in the first half.  He was asked about how the defense was so dominant, despite being undersized.  
 
"Our defense stayed connected and we tackled without fear even though they were big boys," he said.  "We came off the line so fast, it eliminated their ability to think." 
 
The offense continued to light up the scoreboard in the first half with the Lions controlling the UCM scrum.  Additional tries from Kyle Liebenberg, Brendan Mason, and Nick Hardrict, II helped build a 49-0 lead at the halftime break. 
  
Starting prop Beorn Graham explained why the Lindenwood pack had so much success in the scrum.   
 
"Scrumming is more than just being a big body," he explained.  "It is important to remember that technique is the name of the game. If the smaller scrummaging side works together and everyone uses the correct technique together, they form one unstoppable unit." 
 
The Lions brought on a plethora of substitutions in the second half, but they continued to keep the Mules out of the end zone. 
 
Prop Hailama Anakalea not only continued the dominance in the scrum, but he also raised the physicality of the game. 

Head Coach Josh Macy complemented the play of Anakalea.    
 
"Every time Koa makes contact with anyone, it looks like people are violently getting ejected from a carnival ride," Macy said. 
 
Tries from Chris Wallace, Joaquin Gonzalez Fontan, and John Rink rounded out the match for the 82-0 win. 
 
After arriving home at midnight on Friday, the U20 group had a quick turnaround, departing for Southern Illinois at 8 a.m. Saturday morning.  Lindenwood was greeted immediately with rain that continued for most of the afternoon.   
 
Despite having almost an entirely new lineup that only included one starter from the day before, the Lions kept the same style of physical presence against the Salukis that was on display against the Mules.   
 
With quick tries by Carl Kawodza, Jonah Del Rosario, and Terrell Hopson, Lindenwood took a quick 21-0 lead.  
 
After being called for numerous offsides infractions, the Southern Illinois offense found rhythm and was able to march down the field and muscle in a try to cut the score to 21-5, but that was a close as the home team would get the rest of the afternoon.  Additional tries from Kawodza and Delfino Salinas ended the half at 42-5 in favor of the Lions. 
 
In the second half, Lindenwood cleaned up the penalties and continued to extend the lead.   
Prop Patricio Mas made the play of the game when he showed his athletic ability by chipping a kick into the open field behind the opposition backline.  While the ball was rolling on the ground, Mas rushed in and was able to kick it off the ground before the defense could recover. In a race to the try line, Mas outran the SIU backline and made a giant leap to touch the ball down in the corner, finalizing an outstanding effort. 
 
The continuing downpour in the second half led to more ball handling errors and more kicking in a battle of field territory.  Isaac Weaver and Caleb Drenner each scored before the end of the match, and aided by an incredible kicking performance from Sean Kinsella, the Lions ended the day with a 71-5 victory. 
 
With every player getting meaningful minutes in the lineup over the weekend, the U20 coaching staff will have plenty of options as the season continues across town at Washington University October 8.  The opening kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday evening at South Campus Field in St. Louis, Missouri.