Notables
-West throws for career-high 359 yards
-Vo, Bugni, Kukowski, and Bonner all record double-digit tackles
-Oswald kicks game winning field goal
-CSS' first MIAC conference victory
DULUTH, Minn.
(csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica football team hosted the Pipers from Hamline University this afternoon, celebrating its homecoming game. CSS trailed by as much as 15 in this game, but a 16-point fourth quarter, topping it off with a 26-yard field goal from
Kyle Oswald (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi HS) to secure the victory by a score of 43-42.
How it Happened
The Saints opened the game with an early score, courtesy of a touchdown pass from
Donald West (St. Paul, Minn./Woodbury HS (Iowa Central)) to
Wyatt Lahr (Bowlus, Minn./Royalton HS) on a six-yard touchdown, to give the Saints an early 7-0 lead.
Hamline responded with a touchdown of its own on the ensuing drive, tying the game at 7-7.
CSS trudged back on the field and quickly responded. West connected with four different receivers and CSS capped the drive off with a touchdown rush by
Nick Schlender (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS), to give the Saints a 14-7 lead.
The Pipers dominated the second quarter, as Hamline scored on two of its next three drives to take a 21-14 lead. CSS answered back with a quick touchdown of its own, as West connected with Lahr for the pairs second touchdown of the game, cutting Hamline's lead down to just one at halftime, by a score of 21-20.
Hamline scored on its first drive of the second half to take a 28-20 lead early in the third quarter.
On the Saints' next drive, West connected with
Benjamin Hunter (Superior, Wis./Superior HS) on three different occasions, totaling 31 receiving yards on such receptions. The Saints scored yet again on a touchdown rush by West to make it 28-27 in favor of Hamline.
The Pipers quickly gave itself some momentum, scoring two touchdowns on its next two drives to take a 42-27 lead over CSS heading into the fourth quarter.
St. Scholastica quickly took action to begin the fourth quarter, as
Ashton Hain (St. Francis, Minn./St. Francis HS) found the endzone to make the score 42-34.
With six minutes left in the game, CSS began a drive to attempt to tie the game. The drive began with two rushes, one from Hain for five yards and West for eight yards. West then connected with Lahr for an 11-yard gain, then connected with
Ricky Weber (Roseville, Minn./Roseville HS) for a 24-yard gain. West then capped off the drive with a short pass to Weber for a touchdown to make it 42-40. The two-point conversion failed, and CSS saw itself down two with just two minutes to play.
The Saints' defense forced Hamline to punt with just under a minute to play. CSS connected, as West hit Lahr, Weber, and Hunter for a combined 60 yards of offense, clearing a way for
Kyle Oswald (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi HS) to attempt a game-winning field goal. Despite a Hamline timeout to try to disrupt the kick, Oswald wasn't fazed, as the sophomore drilled the game-winning field goal with just eight seconds to play to give the Saints a thrilling 43-42 victory over Hamline.
Top Performers
West finished with 359 passing yards and three touchdowns, as well as adding one rushing touchdown on the afternoon.
Lahr finished today's game with 110 receiving yards with two touchdowns, while Hunter totaled 83 receiving yards and Weber finished with 74 yards and a touchdown today.
On the defensive side of the ball,
Anthony Vo (St. Paul, Minn./Roseville HS) and
Antonio Bugni (Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount HS) led CSS in tackles as Vo recorded 16, while Bugni totaled 13 tackles.
Jake Kukowski (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin HS) and
John Bonner (Grand Rapids, Minn./Grand Rapids HS) also both recorded 12 tackles.
Up Next
The Saints (2-2, 1-1 MIAC) will be back in action next Saturday, where they will travel to St. Peter to take on the Gusties from Gustavus Adolphus College in a conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
