What Happened:
Lindenwood University Men's Rugby opened its spring campaign with a commanding 45–25 road victory over Arkansas State this past Saturday. The Lions faced a difficult start, conceding early momentum as Arkansas State applied physical and attacking pressure in the opening 20 minutes. However, Lindenwood weathered the storm with composed defense and gradually regained control. The breakthrough came with the game's first try, a pivotal moment that shifted confidence and tempo in the Lions' favor. From there, execution sharpened, physical dominance increased at the collision area, and patience in key phases allowed Lindenwood to convert pressure into points. The result was a resilient, statement win to begin the spring season.
What Happened:
Arkansas State opened the first half with intensity and physicality, applying immediate pressure as Lindenwood adjusted to the match conditions. Early handling errors from the Lions proved costly, providing Arkansas State with a clear opportunity at goal. The hosts capitalized in the fifth minute, slotting a penalty to take a 3–0 lead. Lindenwood worked to regain momentum, but Arkansas State's discipline and another Lions infringement in the 15th minute allowed the Red Wolves to extend their advantage to 6–0 with a second successful penalty. The tide began to turn midway through the half as Lindenwood found rhythm and composure. Maintaining possession and building through multiple phases, the Lions displayed patience and growing confidence. Their persistence paid off in the 25th minute when debutant freshman
Tom Bishop crossed for the opening try of the match.
Byron Forword added the conversion, giving Lindenwood a 7–6 lead heading into the latter stages of the half.
With momentum firmly in their favor, the Lions raised the tempo and began to assert control through sustained phase play, physical dominance, and improved discipline. Their pressure yielded results in the 30th minute when
Kieran Holland powered over the try line to extend the lead. Lindenwood continued to capitalize on their ascendancy, and in the 38th minute
Karsten Rice produced a spectacular finish, gathering a perfectly weighted cross kick from
Byron Forword to score in the corner.
Byron Forword added the extras on both occasions, pushing the Lions' advantage to 21–6. Arkansas State, however, refused to fade. Showing resilience in the closing moments of the half, they struck back with a converted try just before the break, narrowing the deficit to 21–13 heading into halftime.
Lindenwood entered halftime with momentum firmly on their side. After a measured start, the Lions grew into the contest and looked increasingly dangerous with sustained possession. Captain
David Scanlon provided composed and assured leadership, while
Byron Forword orchestrated the attack with authority, dictating tempo and delivering accurate kicking that kept the scoreboard ticking. It was the Lions' patience, improved discipline, and tactical control that ultimately defined the first half and positioned them strongly heading into the break.
Both sides emerged for the second half having made clear tactical adjustments, but it was Lindenwood who carried their momentum forward from the restart. Just five minutes in, the Lions struck first. Spotting a lapse in concentration from Arkansas State,
Byron Forword took a quick tap and moved the ball to
James Birley, whose footwork carved through multiple defenders before crossing the line.
Byron Forword added the conversion to extend the lead to 28–13.
Strategic substitutions injected fresh energy into the Lions' lineup, and Arkansas State's discipline began to falter under sustained pressure. In the 46th minute, Lindenwood capitalized with a powerful driving maul, finished by
Riley Richardson-Mould.
Byron Forword's conversion pushed the score to 33–13. Arkansas State responded with a try in the 62nd minute, but the Lions quickly reasserted control. Increased tempo and physicality forced another penalty, which Forword converted to stretch the advantage to 38–18. With confidence high, Lindenwood delivered the decisive blow in the 74th minute. After relentless forward pressure and sharp execution from the backline,
debutant Jacob Martin broke through defenders and offloaded to
Riley Richardson-Mould for the score. Forword remained flawless from the tee, extending the lead to 45–18. Arkansas State added a late try in the 78th minute, but the outcome was secured as Lindenwood claimed a convincing 45–25 victory.
Coach Quote:
"In the four-week lead-up to this match, the players committed fully to their preparation, and that work was evident in the performance. After the opening 20 minutes, we settled into the game, built confidence, and began to apply consistent pressure. Our leaders did a great job managing this game and positioned the team to succeed in key moments. There are still areas where we need greater maturity and precision but there is not turning back."
Player Quote:
'Playing against Arkansas State is never easy - it was a tough, physical match that started slow, but the boys stuck together, raised the tempo and finished strong. Good to be back on the field with the boys. Big team win - onto the next!
What's next:
With the spring campaign officially underway, the Lindenwood Lions now shift focus to their annual trip to Tennessee, where they will compete in a competitive doubleheader against the University of Mary Washington and Tennessee Rugby Club. Traveling with both a first and second team squad, the Lions will use the weekend as an opportunity to build depth and continue developing cohesion across the roster. 1
st team Lindenwood will face University of Mary Washington at 12pm and Lindenwood 2
nd team will face Tennessee rugby club at 2pm. At Tennessee rugby club.
Score Summary:
5' Arkansas State Penalty Kick 0-3
15' Arkansas State Penalty Kick 0-6
25' Lindenwood Try Tom Bishop 5-6
26' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 7-6
30' Lindenwood Try Keiran Holland 12-6
31' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 14-6
38' Lindenwood Try Karsten Rice 19-6
39' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 21-6
40' Arkansas State Try 21-11
40' Arkansas State Conversion 21-13
46' Lindenwood Try James Birley 26-13
47' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 28-13
56' Lindenwood Try Riley Richardson-Mould 33-13
57' Lindenwood Conversion Byron Forword 35-13
62' Arkansas State Try 35-18
66' Lindenwood Penalty Kick Byron Forword 38-18
74' Lindenwood Try Riley Richardson-Mould 43-18
75' Lindenwood Conversion William Bentley 45-18
78' Arkansas State Try 45-23
79' Arkansas State Conversion 45-25
