LISLE, Ill. (WLCSports.com) – Wisconsin Lutheran College closed its 2025 season in memorable fashion on Saturday, storming back in the fourth quarter for a 14-10 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference victory over Benedictine at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine Sports Complex. The win secured a 5-5 overall finish and a 5-3 conference record, giving the Warriors consecutive winning NACC seasons for the first time since 2015–2016.
After a nearly scoreless opening half that featured a combined six punts and two fumbles by the Warriors (5-5, 5-3 NACC), the Eagles (7-3, 5-3 NACC) broke through with 0:11 seconds remaining in the second quarter. BenU marched 62 yards in eight plays, capped by a one-yard keeper from quarterback Jack Moses for a 7-0 halftime lead.
Benedictine extended its advantage early in the fourth quarter. A 10-play, 57-yard drive stalled inside the red zone, but Leonidas Gamino converted a 27-yard field goal at the 13:58 mark to make it 10-0.
WLC answered immediately, mounting an 11-play, 82-yard drive keyed by the legs of sophomore running back
Liam Heiges (Appleton, Wis.). Heiges broke free for gains of 15, 9, 18, and 12 yards on the march—the final run a 12-yard touchdown that trimmed the deficit to 10-7 with 9:27 remaining. The score also gave Heiges a new program record with 12 rushing touchdowns in a season.
Wisconsin Lutheran seized the lead with 1:56 left. After senior
Connor Martin's (Chino, Calif.) interception set up the Warriors at the Eagles' 38, the offense ground out a 12-play, 38-yard drive. Sophomore
Carson Koehler (Saginaw, Mich.) powered across the goal line from one yard out, giving WLC a 14-10 advantage.
BenU had one final opportunity, driving from its own 25 to the Wisconsin Lutheran 1-yard line in the final minute. But the Warriors' defense delivered the decisive stop, stopping three plays near the goal line, including a fumble forced and recovered by sophomore
Sam Ehlke (Jackson, Wis.) to seal the second straight win over Benedictine.
Sophomore quarterback
Joshua Rico (Dallas, Texas) paced the passing attack, completing 11-of-20 throws for 109 yards. Heiges led all rushers with 129 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts. Senior
Drew Mears (Appleton, Wis.) was WLC's top receiver with four catches for 66 yards. Wisconsin Lutheran totaled 294 offensive yards.
Defensively, sophomore
Jalen Perera (Milwaukee, Wis.) led the Warriors with nine total tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Ehlke and senior
Layson Handwork (Merritt Island, Fla.) added eight tackles each, while junior
Chris Korb (Kirkland, Ill.) recorded a forced fumble and recovery as part of a strong defensive effort.
The Eagles offense, which totaled 322 yards, was driven by quarterback Jack Moses, who threw for 156 yards (17-for-26) and rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown. Running back Dino Stephens added 64 rushing yards. Santino Florio led all BenU receivers with seven catches for 59 yards. Defensively, Vince Irion, Jack Hayden, and John Thompson each tallied nine tackles, while Hayden recorded a sack.
WLC closes the year at .500 overall and secures its second straight winning conference season.
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