Under the lights at Hunter Stadium on Friday night, Lindenwood Men's Rugby delivered a dominant performance against local rivals McKendree in their penultimate Midwest Conference clash. Both teams showed intent to play expansive rugby, but the Lions controlled the game from the outset. Once they opened the scoring, momentum never shifted. A clinical all-around display saw Lindenwood cruise to a 57–0 victory, securing the Midwest Conference title and a place in the playoffs.
What happened:
McKendree kicked off and immediately applied pressure, pinning Lindenwood deep in their own half. A composed return kick earned the Lions a penalty and a platform to attack. Moving the ball wide to stretch the defense, a powerful carry from
Ivan Ingram put McKendree on the back foot, creating quick ball for
Maximus Orefice to deliver the final pass to
Eli Bauman, who crossed for the opening try.
Baptiste Esperon added the conversion to give Lindenwood a 7–0 lead. Despite a brief swing in momentum through a series of Lions penalties, Lindenwood's defense held firm.
Jack Johnson extended the lead in the 15th minute, followed by another well-worked try from
Ike Wrigley in the 22nd, with Esperon again converting. Reduced to 14 men late in the half, the Lions responded with intent, as
William Bentley finished strongly in the 39th minute to cap a dominant first-half display.
Lindenwood carried a commanding 24–0 lead into halftime following a dominant opening period. While a few discipline errors crept in, the Lions regained composure and returned to a full 15 heading into the second half.
Jeremy Zwick dictated the tempo effectively, while the forward pack laid a strong platform, consistently generating momentum and control.
Lindenwood emerged from the break with momentum firmly on their side, combining defensive pressure with clinical execution. A crucial jackal from
Eli Bauman earned the Lions a penalty, allowing them to kick to touch and utilize their dominant lineout as an attacking platform. From there, Lindenwood struck quickly. In the 43rd minute, a well-structured launch play saw
Baptiste Esperon exploit a gap in the defensive line, putting
Maximus Orefice through to beat multiple defenders and score. Esperon added the conversion to extend the lead. The floodgates soon opened as the Lions capitalized on their control.
Marcus Robinson crossed in the 44th minute, followed by
Owen Peel in the 53rd.
William Bentley added another in the 58th minute, with Esperon continuing his accuracy from the tee. With fresh energy from the bench maintaining intensity,
Hassan Lin capped the scoring in the 75th minute, with Esperon converting once again.
A dominant second-half display secured a comprehensive 57–0 victory, crowning Lindenwood as Midwest Conference Champions.
Players Quote:
After a week off, we came back sharper, stronger, and more connected – "Undefeated" and "Midwest Champions". Nights like this, playing fast under lights at Hunter with the boys, remind you why it's all worth it. This is not the finish line; it's the standard we've set. The Lindenwood Lions are just getting started, playoffs up next.
McKendree Score summary:
2' Lindenwood Try Eli Baumann 5-0
3' Lindenwood Conversion Baptiste Esperon 7-0
15' Lindenwood Try Jack Johnson 12-0
22' Lindenwood Try Ike Wrigley 17-0
23' Lindenwood Conversion Baptiste Esperon 19-0
39' Lindenwood Try William Bentley 24-0
43' Lindenwood Try Maximus Orefice 29-0
43' Lindenwood Conversion Baptiste Esperon 31-0
44' Lindenwood Try Marcus Robinson 36-0
45' Lindenwood Conversion Baptiste Esperon 38-0
53' Lindenwood Try Owen Peel 43-0
58' Lindenwood Try William Bentley 48-0
60' Lindenwood Conversion Baptiste Esperon 50-0
75' Lindenwood Try Hassan Lin 55-0
66' Lindenwood Conversion Baptiste Esperon 57-0
|
1st Team vs McKendree |
|
| NO. |
|
|
| 1 |
Alden |
Bordallo |
| 2 |
Ivan |
Ingram |
| 3 |
Cameron |
Schafer |
| 4 |
Owen |
Peel |
| 5 |
Harry |
Makatoa |
| 6 |
Jack |
Johnson |
| 7 |
Maximus |
Orefice |
| 8 |
Mitch |
Young |
| 9 |
Jeremy |
Zwick |
| 10 |
Baptiste |
Esperon |
| 11 |
Ike |
Wrigley |
| 12 |
William |
Bentley |
| 13 |
Marcus |
Robinson |
| 14 |
Eli |
Baumann |
| 15 |
Luke |
White |
| 16 |
Henry |
Evans (53') |
| 17 |
Carter |
Breneman (45') |
| 18 |
Jack |
Thory (57') |
| 19 |
Laurie |
Thomson (60') |
| 20 |
Joseph |
Davies (53') |
| 21 |
Charlie |
Kirpatrick (59') |
| 22 |
Slade |
Castle-Pearce (53') |
| 23 |
Hassan |
Lin (51') |
