In a defensive Mid-South Conference (MSC) matchup, men's rugby battled to a 22-14 victory over Arkansas State Saturday afternoon at Curt Huckaby Field in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Three different Lions scored tries and William Groves booted a penalty kick to help Lindenwood improve to 2-1 in the MSC. 
 
How it Happened:   
The Lions struck first with a Groves penalty kick from 30-meters in the seventh minute, but the Red Wolves responded on the ensuing kickoff by forcing a Lindenwood penalty, which was converted for a 3-3 tie.  
 
A deep Lindenwood lineout and maul from 10-meters pushed the Arkansas State defense to the brink. Showing great patience and execution, the Lions inched closer to the try line before Kayleb O'Donoghue eventually crossed it for a Lindenwood score. Groves added the conversion to push the Lions advantage to 10-3. 
 
At the 37^th minute, a strong defensive hit jarred the ball loose from the Red Wolves ball carrier 10-meters from the try line. A quick scoop and offload to Stephin Alberts gave him a scoring lane in the corner and a 15-3 lead for Lindenwood. Arkansas State slotted another penalty kick moments later, but the Lions still carried a 15-6 advantage at the half.
 
The Red Wolves put points on the board first in the second half with a penalty kick in the 46^th minute, but Lindenwood answered 13-minutes later. After driving deep into ASU territory, the Lions earned a lineout from five meters away. A well-executed maul gave Christopher Wallace a path to score. Groves added the conversion to give Lindenwood a 22-9 lead.
 
Defense ruled the match for the next 20 minutes with neither team scoring. As the final whistle sounded, Arkansas State managed to string together several long phases and eventually scored for the 22-14 final.  
 
Player Thoughts: 
Cian Darling: "We wanted to show character today off the back of last week and it's the perfect place to go and have your character tested. Away to Arkansas State is always a tough fixture. They look to play a lot of heads-up rugby and that asks questions of us defensively. We were sorry to let in a try at the end but in general, really proud of how we stepped up and defended with attitude." 
 
Connor Devos: "It was a tough loss last weekend in a game that we felt was winnable. The boys showed up to practice and left locked in and switched on, eager to make improvements. I think we carried a chip on our shoulders coming into the Arkansas State game and it showed. We were flying around on attack and defense making some big tackles and carries throughout the game. Overall, I think the boys played well, it was a good game and a great momentum building win!" 
 
What's Next:   
The Lions return home for another MSC match versus Davenport University March 4. In a game available on ESPN+, the opening kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Missouri. 
  
  
Starting Lineup:    

1. Chad Tinney – 64' Luke Schaefer  
2. Kayleb O'Donoghue – 64' Christopher Wallace 
3. Connor Devos – 64' Setu Vole 
4. Eduan van Heerden - 50' Calvin Ihrig   
5. Alejandro Martinez Tapia – 64' Le'Donn Mathis 
6. Cian Darling 
7. Runako Brynard  –  67' Dylan Fortune  
8. Neal Moylett    
9. Jeremy Zwick  
10. William Groves    
11. Tyren Al-Jiboori – 67' Clayton Means 
12. Brendan Mason  
13. Stephin Alberts  
14. Nick Hardrict, II  
15. Kobe Millar – 64' Lautaro Soto Ansay 

    
Scoring Summary:    
6' Lindenwood Penalty Kick William Groves 3-0 
9' Arkansas State Penalty Kick 3-3 
15' Lindenwood Try Kayleb O'Donoghue 8-3.   
15' Lindenwood Conversion William Groves 10-3 
37' Lindenwood Try Stephin Alberts 15-3 
40' Arkansas State Penalty Kick 15-6 
46' Arkansas State Penalty Kick 15-9 
59' Lindenwood Try Christopher Wallace 20-9 
60' Lindenwood Conversion William Groves 22-9 
80' Arkansas State Try 22-14