Men's rugby hosted D1AA National Champion Iowa Central and came away with a 29-5 win Saturday afternoon at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Missouri.

Playing the out of conference opponent game the Lions an opportunity to get some first side substitutes the Lions took the opportunity to book some out of conference action and blood some first side substitutes in longer shifts to continue to build depth. Lindenwood managed the match well, but let several tries slip through their fingers due to muddy conditions and over-eagerness to score. 

The match started as many do, as a back-and-forth affair in the middle of the field with each team feeling out the referee and defense before deciding to really make a move.  Despite that, it only took until the 14th minute for the Lions to score.  Second row Jonah Dietenberger ripped the ball out from a big runner in the middle of the pitch to earn a turnover and an eventual penalty.  The lineout took its time setting up and a beautiful maul, orchestrated by match captain Ross Brocket, rumbled forty meters down the field until Kayleb O'Donoghue splashed into the zone. Coleson Warner was happy to oblige for the conversion just off the right post to make the score 7-0. 

Ross Brocket outlined the effort leading to the score.

"I thought initially we set a good platform and it was slow at first, but soon enough I was running backwards trying to keep up like Fred Flintstone," he said.  "We even peeled off and reset and soon enough we were over the line. I was happy with that."

As the first half continued, some Lindenwood impatience put the Lions on the bad side of the referee, allowing the Tritons some precious field position with the wind at their backs.  On such a muddy day, it only took one misstep to be put on skates and Iowa Central soon enjoyed a mauled-in try of their own to pull within two points.

Passing the 30-minute mark, the Lions worked hard to create a surge heading into half time. Big defensive shifts from Cody Erhardt and Carson O'Donnell created momentum and pressured the Iowa Central skill set. The scrum, led by Gabe Kettering, settled in and drove beneath the shadows of the goal posts with Clarence Ekoume-Bienes and Evan Conlon both scoring tries from the back of the scrum. 

With the score 21-5 in favor of Lindenwood at the break, the message from the coaching staff was simple. All the Lions had to do to prevent Iowa Central from scoring was to avoid penalties that gave the Tritons field position.  

Prop Gabe Kettering assessed the gameplan.

"We needed to keep ourselves out of 50/50 situations," he recounted.  "Just because you get one poach doesn't mean you'll get the second, or third. Just be happy you got the one and get back to making tackles. It was great seeing us play defense with our legs and shoulders rather than our hands."

At the beginning of the second helf, defensive pressure continued to mount through steady line speed and two-man tackles. At the 44th minute, Lindenwood once again set up a line-out maul. This time, the ball was passed wide and substitute center Ty Nelson crashed over the line for another try to build the Lions lead to 26-5. 

With that score line, the Lions felt comfortable bringing on the subs to close out the match. With the wind at their backs, they knocked the ball into the Iowa Central end of the field and consistent pressure was applied by freshmen wing and fullback combo Nick Hardrict II and Shiven Dukhande. Erhardt earned one last penalty in front of the sticks and the Lions booted it through the posts for the final margin.   

Nick Hardrict, standout for hard work in his Lindenwood debut, recalled his experience.

"I experienced mixed emotions," he said.  "I was nervous to be playing for the first time in the year, but excited to play with my friends. I'm so happy to be back playing and get a win."

Just after that match, another group of Lions took on the Iowa Central 2nd XV. In a reverse homecoming effort worthy of applause, former Iowa Central Tritons Isaiah Faleuka and Nathan Epplett combined for four tries in a convincing 39-3 victory. 

Bright spots abounded in the power front row tandem of Gabriel Wai and Will Scott, while rangy rookie back rowers Alejandra Martinez Tapia and Calvin Ihrig racked up impacts over an 80-minute effort.

The Lions will return to the pitch April 10 as they face the Royal Ramblers at 1 p.m. at the Lou Fusz Soccer Club in Creve Coeur, Missouri, and Mid-South Conference foe Davenport University at 7 p.m. in Hunter Stadium in St. Charles. Passes are limited so be sure to contact your favorite Lion to be added to the list.