Men's rugby completed its regular season campaign with a 42-19 win over Marian (Ind.) University Friday night at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Missouri. In a balanced attack, six different Lions scored on the evening with Charlie Kirkpatrick contributing 11 points in the kicking game.
 
How it Happened:
Despite the ultimate outcome, it was the Knights that took an early 5-0 by scoring a long try in the seventh minute, but Lindenwood answered when Joseph Davies shed a tackle and scored while getting thrown into the try zone.
 
Kirkpatrick gave the Lions a 10-5 lead in the 21^st minute, but Marian responded six minutes later. The Knights found numbers on the edge and outraced the Lindenwood defense for a long try. The ensuing conversion made it 12-10 in favor of Marian.
 
With the first half clock winding down, the Lions took the lead for good when Mathis Corbel had the ball and exploded through the middle, running through two arm tackles before scoring under the posts. Kirkpatrick slotted the centered conversion in the 36^th minute and Lindenwood carried a 17-12 advantage into the break.  
 
Early in the second half, the Lions added to the lead when they had a numbers advantage on the goal line. With possession in the middle of the pitch, the ball was moved to Karsten Rice who was isolated on the edge and able to score in the corner. Kirkpatrick booted the tough conversion to give Lindenwood a 24-12 lead in the 46^th minute.  
 
The Lions continued to expand their advantage. After a scrum deep in Marian territory, Dimitri Diakogiannis took the ball from Kirkpatrick and cut through the defense to score. With another conversion, Lindenwood led 31-12 in the 49^th minute.
 
After a Kirkpatrick penalty kick three minutes later, the Knights worked the ball down the field and were going in for a potential score when a Lion defender committed a penalty at the try line. Marian was awarded a penalty try to make it 34-19.
 
Lindenwood clinched the match with a minute remaining. After pushing the ball to the Marian goal line, Patricio Mas utilized his size to power over the try line. Kirkpatrick made the conversion for the final 41-19 victory.
 
Player Quote:
 
Luke Schaefer: "It was a quality win against a quality opponent. Marian really gave us a good run and forced us to dig deep to play a full match. I love the way our boys came to play tonight. We are looking forward to this playoff journey in front of us."
 
What's Next?
The Lions begin the D1A Playoffs by hosting Mount St. Mary's University April 6. The opening kickoff is set for 5 p.m. Saturday at Hunter Stadium.
 
Scoring Summary:
7' Marian Try 5-0
14' Lindenwood Try Joseph Davies 5-5
21' Lindenwood Try Charlie Kirkpatrick 10-5
27' Marian Try 10-10
28' Marian Conversion 10-12
35' Lindenwood Try Mathis Corbel 15-12
36' Lindenwood Conversion Charlie Kirkpatrick 17-12
44' Lindenwood Try Karsten Rice 22-12
46' Lindenwood Conversion Charlie Kirkpatrick 24-12
49' Lindenwood Try Dimitri Diakogiannis 29-12
49' Lindenwood Conversion Charlie Kirkpatrick 31-12
52' Lindenwood Penalty Kick Charlie Kirkpatrick 34-12
78' Marian Penalty Try 34-19
80' Lindenwood Try Patricio Mas 39-19
80' Lindenwood Conversion Charlie Kirkpatrick 41-19
 
Lineup:

1. Cameron Schafer
2. Giovanni Agostini
3. Luke Schaefer
4. Caden Howe
5. Charles Palmer
6. Louis Woods
7. Mason Gracian
8. Brendan Mullen
9. Charlie Kirkpatrick
10. Hassan Lin
11. Karsten Rice
12. Ben Crosby
13. Dimitri Diakogiannis
14. Joseph Davies
15. Marcus Robinson
16. Xavier Herbert
17. Patricio Mas
18. Emmett Bock
19. Mathis Corbel
20. Conner Reed
21. Gage Poland
22. Gavin Richards
23. John Kenaga