Men's rugby earned its first shutout of the season with a 30-0 victory over Davenport University in the final Mid-South Conference match-up of the year Saturday evening at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Missouri.  The Lions overcame swirling winds and rain on Senior Night as 20 soon-to-be graduates were honored in an emotional, yet cathartic release after two seasons of pandemic influenced rugby.  

Lindenwood took the lead for good by the third minute.  After a series of Panther penalties, the Lions set the tone with a line out drive and several carries from the forwards. Gabe Kettering, one of the senior honorees, found a gap to wiggle through in the defense and scored a much relished try that was easily converted by Evan Williams.

Just ten minutes later, Lindenwood set up another line out drive after heaping severe pressure on Panther exits.  Multiple players recycled and kept the ball far away from the prying paws of Davenport, which allowed the Lions to march quickly down the field.  Lindenwood ultimately cashed in the work from the forwards with three more points from a Panthers penalty committed in the maul.   

But, the Lions momentum was slowed for a bit as Davenport laid siege on the Lindenwood line for nearly ten minutes.  Patient defense from hooker Kayleb O'Donoghue as well as sub fetcher Cody Erhardt led the way, keeping the Panthers off the scoreboard.  

With the rain tumbling down, mistakes increased and the Lions were happy to cash in. Evan Conlon, who was enjoying a recent promotion to starting scrumhalf, plucked a mishandled pass out of the ether and touched down to make the score 17-0 nearing half time. 

Another Lindenwood series of play led to another Davenport penalty mistake, line out drive, doubled up penalty, and an easy nudge knocked between the posted from Evan Williams.

Despite heading into the half time break up 20-0, the Lions had plenty to discuss in the sheds leading into the second half.  Far too many break down penalties were given away as Davenport took advantage of slow support into the ruck and managed to chop down many Lindenwood runners.  

Because of the weather conditions and a clinical Lions kicking game, the second half was more about patience and persistence . Emmanuel Albert scored a try on his senior night off of a nifty line out move in the five-meter channel. The attacking flair, however, did not go to his head as he dealt cards focused on contact all night.

With Davenport recommitting themselves to a kicking game, Lindenwood was hard pressed to earn much needed territory to finish the match. Respite would appear in the 63rd minute as the Lions rallied around beautifully executed mauls to finish the match with a bonus point try.

With the win, Lindenwood improved to 12-2 overall and completed conference play with a mark of 4-1.  A shortened, yet well-awaited playoff bracket will be released in the coming week.  Although things might look quite different from past years, the Lions will be foaming at the mouth in order to participate in whatever post season opportunities are afforded them.