Lindenwood University of St. Charles, Mo. played their first 15s game of the 2016-17 season on Saturday, taking on rivals Lindenwood University of Belleville, Ill.

The Lindenwood Belleville Lynx are set to enter the DIAA playoffs this coming weekend, and needed this test to prepare. For the Lindenwood St. Charles Lions, this was the beginning of a buildup to the DIA Mid-South season in the spring. The Lions will also play Navy next week.

In the end, the Lions, an older and more seasoned program, defeated the Lynx 64-15. Joeseph Livesey scored the opening try, running in support off a quick tap by Nick Feakes. That made it 7-0 with the Feakes conversion, but after that the two teams were at a stalemate for over 20 minutes.

Thae Jack Huckstepp finished off a nice movement of forwards working together to keep the ball alive. Moments later Jack Hernandez scored on a cutback run, and just before halftime Livesey sent a grubber for Brandon Chalker to chase down. And that, really, was an illustration of the difference between the two teams. L-B was right there with the St. Charles squad ... for a while. But experience, a little more physical maturity, and more time together allowed Lindenwood-St. Charles to weather the storm and strike when the opportunity presented itself.

Up 28-0 (Feakes being perfect on the conversions) at halftime, the Lions showed what it means to keep the pressure on. Christopher Kelland, and then a penalty at a scrum led to a quick tap and quick ball out to Cristian Rodriguez, who strolled in.

Juan Pablo Aguirre did get the Lynx on the board, and then around 60 minutes, the Lynx scored two quick tries, punishing a St. Charles mistake for Filippi Banzato to go in, and then Dane Schmidt to make it 40-15.

But, as good, experienced teams do, the Lions put it away with tries from Rodriguez, Michael Baska, Chalker, and Feakes.

"The guys were edgy after four weeks of team scrimmages, but we’ve been talking about on playing on purpose and they did that," said Lindenwood St. Charles Head Coach Josh Macy. "They’ve had a lot thrown at them in the last month and it was great to see them apply what we’ve spoken about in the early stages of my team with the team. I was overall pleased with the set piece, our eagerness to attack, and our patience on defense.  Sure there’s a lot to improve, but that’s how this works. I’m proud of the guys for the adjustments they’ve made and the new course they’ve set for the team." 

Huckstepp said this was a good run-out for a first game under a new coach. 

"Belleville was a great test. I was happy that they didn’t give us anything, we earned every point that we scored."  

Toma Ghattas showed very well at tighthead prop, scrummaging well and making some good carries. Chris Kelland showed the energy and mobility of a flanker at lock, while Rodriguez was a danger out wide.

"Everyone on this team is selfless and you could see that in the ball movement and willingness to play the system," said Rodriguez. "It’s the only reason we were able to score 62 against a good Belleville side. A few more games and lots of practice and this team is going to look even better."