The men's rugby sevens squad played a three-match slate against the Mexico Serpientes National Sevens Team on Saturday, dropping two tight decisions 17-14 and 17-12, before closing out the day with a lopsided 33-0 win, splitting time on the pitch between the Track Complex and Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Missouri.

Match 1:  Mexico 17, Lindenwood 14 (L)

Lindenwood and Mexico opened the day at the Track Complex, with the Serpientes edging the Lions 17-14 in a back-and-forth match that came down to the final possession.

How it Happened:

Mexico struck first, with No. 13 picking off an interception for a try, though the conversion was missed to make it 5-0 Serpientes. No. 13 added a second try shortly after, and this time the conversion was good to put Mexico up 12-0. Lindenwood answered before the half when Dylan Scruggs broke the line for a try and converted it himself to cut the deficit to 12-7 at the break.

Lindenwood came out strong in the second half, with a line break leading to a try to level the match at 12-12, and Martin Guerra added the conversion to give the Lions a 14-12 lead. Mexico responded with a try on the outside after a line break from No. 5, and although the conversion was missed, the Serpientes held on for a 17-14 win.

Match 2:  Mexico 17, Lindenwood 12 (L)

The two sides moved to Hunter Stadium for the second match, and Mexico again came away with a 17-12 win, though Lindenwood pushed the match throughout.

How it Happened:

The Lions struck first in the second minute when Dimitri Diakogiannis finished off an offload on the outside, but the conversion was missed, making it 5-0. Mexico answered in the fourth minute, breaking through the middle for a try and converting to edge into the lead 7-5. Mexico added a second try just under the six minute mark on an outside break, missing the conversion, to lead 12-5 at the half.

The Serpientes extended their lead early in the second half on a try in the 11th minute, missing the conversion to go up 17-5. Lindenwood answered in the 15th minute when Zack McCartney stepped through for a try, and the conversion was good, but time ran out with Lindenwood trailing 17-12.

Match 3:  Lindenwood 33 (W), Mexico 0

Lindenwood closed the day with a statement win, shutting out the Mexican sevens side 33-0 in the nightcap at Hunter Stadium.

How it Happened:

Cole Scharffenorth opened the scoring less than two minutes in with an outside run, and the conversion was good to make it 7-0. James Birley extended the lead just past the five-minute mark with a try through the middle, then added the conversion himself to push it to 14-0.

Lindenwood kept the pressure on and crossed for a try in the eighth minute, though the conversion was missed. Landon Starnes followed with a try off an offload to make it 26-0 with the conversion good, and Ren Heimer capped the scoring with a try off a line break, converted, to set the final margin at 33-0.

Lindenwood finished the day 1-2 against the Mexico National Sevens Team.

"Was good to get some sevens minutes, and Mexico played well and gave us a good run around," sophomore center Pablo Romero said. "Glad we got to play against a quality side."

"Hosting Mexico gave our players an opportunity to test themselves against international opposition and build friendships through rugby," Head Coach Josh Macy stated. "The Serpientes challenged us, and I was pleased with how our guys responded after two close losses to finish with a strong performance. We're grateful for the time we shared on and off the field, and they've certainly gained a team full of fans here at Lindenwood."

What's Next:
After a weekend off, the Lions head east to face Ohio State in a Midwest Rugby Conference (MRC) match October 10 in Obetz, Ohio. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CDT at Fortress Obetz. The 2^nd XV sides will take on each other afterwards beginning at 1 p.m. CDT.
 

Sevens Results, September 26, 2026

	Lindenwood	Mexico	Result
Match 1	14	17	L
Match 2	12	17	L
Match 3	33	0	W

 

Match 1 Lineup (Track Complex, 12:00 p.m.):

1. Vincent Graham
2. Jadyn Tran
3. Joseph Davies
4. Pierre-Luis Silva-Romefort
5. Martin Guerra
6. Riley Richardson-Mould
7. Dylan Scruggs

Reserves:

8. Martin Herreros
9. Maximus Orefice
10. Tom Bishop
11. Caleb Murphy
12. Myles Bailey

Match 2 Lineup (Hunter Stadium, 2:00 p.m.):

1. Ethan Huish
2. Pablo Romero
3. Joseph Davies
4. Hassan Lin
5. Baptiste Esperon
6. Aiden Kalmar
7. Eli Baumann

Reserves:

8. Jack Cahill
9. Zack McCartney
10. Trent Nagel
11. Dimitri Diakogiannis
12. Maxence Poussy

Match 3 Lineup (Hunter Stadium, 4:00 p.m.):

1. Vicente Villela
2. Cole Scharffenorth
3. Jean Baptiste Perisse
4. Nayan Sirwani Villanueva
5. James Birley
6. Demitrius Taape
7. Ren Heimer

Reserves:

8. Moses Ratnage
9. Luke White
10. Nayan Sirwani Villanueva
11. Landon Starnes
12. Patimiosa Liufau