This past Saturday, the Lions went head-to-head with Marian (Ind.) University in a battle where both teams were eager to test each other's defenses and run the ball. The Lions struck first, putting early points on the board but the Knights answered right back, taking the lead and holding it for most of the first half. Coming out of halftime, the Lions returned with fire in their bellies, scoring the first try of the half and closing the Knights' lead. Strategic early substitutions gave the Lions fresh energy, and the impact was immediate, off the bench, the Lions surged ahead for the first time in the game. From there, the Lions stepped on the gas, extending their lead as the match went on. The Knights fought tooth and nail to close the gap, but the Lions showed grit and composure, holding on to secure a well-earned victory. Final Score:
Lions 38 - Knights 31
How it Happened:
From the opening whistle, both teams came out guns blazing, moving the ball edge to edge and putting each other's defense to the test. The Lions seized early momentum, winning penalties and keeping the game firmly inside the Knights' half. A strong defensive stand forced a knock-on, earning the Lions a scrum in prime territory. Quick hands found the edge, driving the ball five meters up field. Chaos erupted in the Knights' defensive line, and
Cole Scharffenorth spotted
Maximus Orefice cutting a perfect line. With slick footwork, Orefice beat the final defender, lowered his head, and powered across the try line for the first score of the match.
Hassan Lin calmly slotted the conversion, giving the Lions the early 7–0 lead.
The Knights weren't about to go down without a fight. They restarted with a perfectly weighted kickoff that hung in the air just long enough to pile pressure on the Lions. Under the heat, the Lions spilled the ball, and by the fortune of the bounce, it landed right into the Knights' hands. With momentum on their side, the Knights powered over the line to score their first try of the match. The conversion was good, leveling the game at 7–7.
The Knights had their tails up and kept the pressure on, hanging kicks high and chasing hard. The relentless pressure forced an error from the Lions, and the loose ball bounced straight into the Knights' hands. Spotting a gap in the defense, the Knights pounced—slipping past a dozing Lion and charging through the line with an aggressive run. They powered over the try line, and with the conversion added, the Knights stretched their lead to 7–14
The Knights had all the momentum and were brimming with confidence. The ball seemed to bounce their way every time as they threw everything at the Lions' defense, hungry for more points. After fielding a kick from the Lions, the Knights launched a sharp counterattack. They spotted space, slipped through a gap, and stormed over for their try. With the conversion added, the Knights stretched their lead to 7-21, leaving the Lions' backs firmly against the wall.
The Lions weren't going down without a fight. Despite the scoreboard pressure and the Knights pushing hard for more points, the Lions dug in. Winning the ball back deep in their own half,
Jeremy Zwick launched a competitive kick that forced the Knights onto the back foot. Under pressure, the Knights tried to clear, but their kick was charged down. The Lions pounced, regathering the ball and building through a few relentless phases. The effort paid off,
Maximus Orefice powered over the line for his
second try of the day! The Lions clawed back into the contest, closing the gap to 12–21.
The Lions now had fire in their bellies and began stringing phases together. With a ruck set in the middle of the field deep inside the Knights' 22, the Lions spotted space out wide.
Karsten Rice kept the ball alive with quick hands, feeding it back inside to
Hassan Lin, who delivered a slick offload to a charging
Ivan Ingram. Ingram stormed over the line for the try, and Lin calmly added the conversion to close the gap. The scoreboard tightened, Lions now trailed by just two, 19–21.
Both teams came out firing on all cylinders after halftime, but it was the Lions who had their tails up after finishing the first half strong. Playing clinical rugby, they stretched the ball edge to edge before earning a penalty and kicking for touch. A lineout just five meters out put the Lions in prime position. Though they lost the throw, the bounce fell kindly their way. Hammering forward with pick-and-go's just meters from the line,
Louis Woods scooped from the base of the ruck and powered over for the try. The Lions roared into the lead 24–21.
The Lions had all the momentum, playing with their tails up as both teams continued trading blows. A lineout deep inside the Knights' 22 gave the Lions prime attacking position. Pounding away with pick-and-go's on the line, the pressure mounted until Lochie Foster powered over for the try!
Hassan Lin added the extras with a steady boot, and the Lions stretched their lead to 31–21.
The Lions turned to their bench for fresh legs, and the impact was immediate. The substitutes brought new energy, moving the ball with pace and keeping the Knights under constant pressure. Crashing forward, the Lions set up a ruck just five meters from the try line. Fly-half
Cole Scharffenorth spotted space out wide, called for the ball, and drew in the Knights' defense before unleashing
Marcus Robinson into open space. Robinson finished the move in style, dotting down for the try.
Cole Scharffenorth then stepped up to slot the conversion, extending the Lions' lead to 38–21.
With their tails up but down to 14 men, the Lions felt the pressure as the Knights looked to exploit the advantage. Pounding away with pick-and-go's on the try line, the Knights eventually swung it wide, running the ball through the hands to score. Not long after, they were back in the same position and crashed over again, closing the gap late in the game. But the Lions had already done enough. In a thrilling, hard-fought battle, they held their ground to seal a
38–31 victory.
Coach Quote:
"This time of the year is all about giving players a chance to tell us who they are and I'm thankful for Marian coming in and putting us under pressure. Lessons learned for what will surely be a great season." Head Coach
Josh Macy
Scoring Summary:
16' Lindenwood University try
Maximus Orefice
17' Lindenwood University conversion
Hassan Lin
18' Marian University Try
19' Marian University Conversion
23' Marian University Try
24' Marian University Conversion
25' Marian University try
27' Marian University Conversion
31' Lindenwood University Try
Maximus Orefice
39' Lindenwood University Try
Ivan Ingram
39' Lindenwood Conversion
Hassan Lin
44' Lindenwood University Try
Louis Woods
54' Lindenwood University Try
Lachie Foster
55' Lindenwood Conversion
Hassan Lin
64' Lindenwood Try
Marcus Robinson
65' Lindenwood University Conversion
Cole Scharffenorth
76' Marian University Try
80' Marian University Try
