The U20 men's rugby squad gained some valuable experience in playing a complete game against Saint Louis University as they defeated the Billikens 126-3 Saturday afternoon at the Lindenwood Track Complex in St Charles, Missouri.  

Despite the final score, the Lions actually trailed early in the contest when Saint Louis capitalized on an offsides call and slotted the ensuing penalty kick from 40-meters out at the one-minute mark to take a 3-0 lead.  At that moment, Lindenwood captain Xavier Herbert challenged his squad to stay onside and the young group never looked back. 

The Lions shared the ball across the entire field and had nine different players score, including at least try from every starting backline player. Lindenwood utilized its kicking game and good spacing out wide to create offensive success all over the pitch. 

Starting flyhalf Brendan Mason provided some insight about why the kicking game operated so well.    

"Throughout this last week we focused a lot of time on structure and setting up our structure in different areas of the field," he said. "We put those methods into effect today and it turned out well for us." 

With the speed and spacing of the attack, Nick Hardrict, II made his presence felt with numerous punishing tackles and connections on multiple kicks from Mason.  Hardrict, II complimented his back three teammates after the game.  

"Our back three are so dangerous because we have a combination of speed and playmaking ability," he said. "Our kick chase put us in position to turn our defense into an attack.  John (Rink) and I on the wings, with Kyle (Liebenberg) at fullback, had our play and communication on point today." 

The first half ended with the Lions leading 67-3, highlighted by two tries from Hardrict, II and one from Mason. 

At the beginning of the second half, the Lindenwood coaches used all eight of their substitutions immediately to allow for the greatest number of players to see game action. 

As bright as the offense was on the day, the defense may have outplayed them. Their teamwork and physical play were on display all over the field. 

Starting 8-man Vladislav Sotnikov noted how well the Lions stuck to the plan.

"No matter what the score was, we kept playing our game," he said. "Defensively, we stood together as a team and held our own. When we played defense together, it allowed us to catch the opposition on their back foot and we forced them to make mistakes." 

Dominating play was established from the beginning with hard, physical runs from Christopher Wallace and Alejandro Martinez Tapia. The high level of intensity and structure did not diminish when Hailama Anakalea and Joaquin Gonzalez Fontan came on the field. 

After two scores from fullback Kyle Liebenberg in the second half, subs Jonah Del Rosario and Duncan Krige each had two tries.  Sotnikov and Lautaro Soto Ansay rounded out scoring for Lindenwood. 
 
The Lions will see their first action at Hunter Stadium on the season when they host Principia College September 25.  The opening kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon in St. Charles, Missouri.  

Lindenwood Scoring versus Saint Louis University

Tries: 
Siaosi Nauer, John Rink (3), Brendan Mason, Lautaro Soto Ansay (2), Kyle Liebenberg (4), Nick Hardrict, II (2), Eduan van Heerden, Jonah Del Rosario (2), Duncan Krige (2), Vladislav Sotnikov. 

Penalty kicks: Kyle Liebenberg (1) 

Conversions: Kyle Liebenberg (9), Brendan Mason (5)