Men's rugby traveled across town and defeated McKendree University 14-0 Saturday evening at Leemon Field in Lebanon, Illinois, earning the inaugural win in the Midwest Rugby Conference (MRC). Jack Johnson and Joaquin Gonzalez Fontan each scored a try while Brendan Mason was a perfect on two conversion opportunities.
 
How it Happened:
A defensive battle emerged in the first half, but the Bearcats had some scoring opportunities. The Lions were very aggressive at the gain line which put them on the wrong end of the penalty count at times. The result was a couple of penalty kicks for McKendree, but both went awry.
 
At the end of the first half, Lindenwood marched down the field and earned their first shot at points in the match. A Bearcat penalty placed the Lions 10-meters out, but a penalty kick by Tyresse Prescod went off the crossbar and the half ended in a scoreless tie.  
 
In the second half, Lindenwood used the scrum as an attacking point and that planned worked well. In the 49^th minute, McKendree executed a scrum deep in its own territory at the five-meter line, but the Lions drove it back over the ball. Johnson scooped up the loose ball and landed down across the line for the first try of the match. Mason booted the conversion for a 7-0 Lindenwood lead.  
 
The Lions defense continued to keep the Bearcats at bay and added on in the 69^th minute when a Tyresse Prescod kick settled just five-meters from the tryline. McKendree executed a quick return kick that put John Kenaga in a strong attacking position 40-meters out. His hard carry drove the ball to the 22-meter line and a quick cutout pass found Gonzalez Fonton, who raced down the sideline and shook a lone defender on his way to a score. Mason kicked the conversion for a 14-0 advantage.
 
With the way Lindenwood was playing, it looked like a comfortable lead, but a yellow yard in the scrum forced the Lions to play a man short for the final 10 minutes of the match. The squad held strong and preserved the shutout.  
 
Other Action:  
Earlier in the day, Lindenwood faced Washington University at South Campus Field in St. Louis and posted a 121-0 shutout over the Bears. Gavin Richards controlled the attack in his first start while Caden Howe brought a massive impact defensively.  
 
What's Next? 
The Lions hit the road for a non-conference match against Iowa Central Community College October 21. The opening kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Crimmins Field in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The 2^nd XV sides will play prior at 12 p.m.  
 
Scoring Summary:
49' Lindenwood Try Jack Johnson 5-0 
49' Lindenwood Conversion Brendan Mason 7-0 
69' Lindenwood Try Joaquin Gonzalez Fontan 12-0 
69' Lindenwood Conversion Brendan Mason 14-0 
 
Lineup: 

1. Chad Tinney – 70' Emmett Bock  
2. Mkhanyisi Buthelezi – 40' Xavier Herbert 
3. Johannes Greyling – 50' Hailama Anakalea 
4. David Scanlon 
5. Neil Milczarek - 75' Charles Palmer
6. Jack Johnson 
7. Terrell Hopson – 5' Joaquin Gonzalez Fontan 
8. Brendan Mullen – 63' Gavin Fitzhugh 
9. Delfino Salinas – 69 'Abraham Boston  
10. Tyresse Prescod 
11. John Kenaga 
12. Declan Ries 
13. Lautaro Soto Ansay 
14. Bautista Nasta 
15. Brendan Mason