Kansas City, MO - Principia exited the semi-finals of the nine team Kansas City Midnight 7s tournament after a loss to the University of Central Missouri. The annual Kansas City tournament is unique because not only is it played through the night, it is played on an indoor soccer field instead of a regulation size rugby pitch. The field, just 85 feet by 200 feet, is the size of a hockey rink and was ringed with pads for the tournament. While Principia posted only a 2-2 record, they shutout two opponents, and lost only to the eventual tournament champion and tournament runner up.
In the first of two pool games, the Chickens played the University of Nebraska. Fortunately for Principia, Nebraska star Trevor Richards was training with the US National 7s team in Fiji and was unavailable to play. Less than a minute into the first half, captain Graham Thatcher scored Principia's only try of the game. However, Nebraska quickly turned things around and scored six straight tries to end the game with a final score of 38-7.
Principia regrouped for its second pool game, and defeated the University of Central Missouri's B team 19-0. After gaining possession of the ball in a lineout, wing Drake Schaberg opened by scoring after beating his opposite number wide. Sean Brady and Will Buchanan each contributed a try as well.
With one win and one loss Principia was seeded 5th in the tournament bracket, and faced 4th seeded Northwest Missouri State University. The Thunder Chickens achieved their second straight shutout, winning 12-0. In the first half Graham Thatcher scored his second try of the tournament to give Principia a 5-0 lead at the half. After several missed opportunities following penalties on NWMSU, prop Alex Owen and scrum half James Suber punched the ball through NWMSU defense to give Principia the final try of the game.
With less than 30 minutes to rest between games, Principia fell in the semi-finals 44-5 to the University of Central Missouri. The size and toughness of UCM led to an extremely physical game, and with so little rest Principia consistently tackled too high to bring down the UCM ball carriers. Scrum half Tom Bisbee was responsible for Principia's lone try.
Principia was joined in all four games by Pittsburgh State players Sean Brady and Caleb Childers.
