ELSAH, IL – The Principia Thunder Chickens kept their undefeated record intact with a dramatic 31-27 victory over the Iowa Central Tritons on Saturday at Clark Field. In a match filled with high-intensity moments, strategic plays, and last-minute heroics, Principia proved their mettle by rallying from behind multiple times to secure the win in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.
After neither team broke through early on, Iowa Central struck first midway through the first half to take a 7-0 lead. The Thunder Chickens finally got on the board with just over 10 minutes remaining in the half as Francisco Alessio scored his first try of the season by powering his way through multiple defenders, carrying a swarm of Tritons with him as he plowed into the try zone to tie the match at 7 apiece.
Iowa Central responded quickly, executing a perfect kick-and-chase play to retake the lead at 14-7 with five minutes remaining in the half. Just as the momentum seemed to be shifting back to the Tritons, Celino Petersen made a game-changing play in the final moments of the half. Petersen stole the ball from an Iowa Central player, juked past a defender, and raced down the field for a clutch try that leveled the match at 14 going into halftime.
Early in the second half, Iowa Central scored again, reclaiming a 21-14 lead and putting Principia back on their heels. However, the Thunder Chickens quickly regrouped and capitalized on an Iowa Central penalty, kicking into touch near the try zone to set up a line-out. Principia's forwards then executed a flawless maul, overpowering the Tritons' defense as Alessio carried the ball over the line for his second try of the match. A missed conversion from the sideline left Principia trailing 21-19 with 25 minutes to play.
The Thunder Chickens carried the momentum and continued to find their rhythm, turning up the pressure after a successful scrum. In a well-coordinated sequence, Andy Naringo found an opening in the Tritons' line and broke through for a crucial try that gave Principia its first lead of the match at 24-21.
With just under 10 minutes remaining, Iowa Central tied the game at 24-24 with a booming midfield penalty kick by Takudzwa Musingwini. Moments later, another penalty at midfield gave Musingwini a chance to retake the lead, and he delivered again, putting the Tritons up 27-24 with time ticking down.
Refusing to back down, the Thunder Chickens mounted one final push. With just three minutes left, Principia advanced down the field, and a series of quick passes resulted in Alfredo Boly executing a spectacular backhanded pass to a leaping Petersen, who immediately offloaded to an on-rushing Luigi Furlan. Furlan sprinted the final few meters, setting the ball down for the game-winning try. Damir Conci nailed the conversion, pushing the score to 31-27 and forcing the Tritons into a must-score situation.
In the final minutes, Principia's defense held strong, sealing a thrilling 31-27 victory and preserving their perfect start to conference play.
The win keeps the Thunder Chickens atop the BRRC west division standings. Next Saturday, they host Aquinas College in another critical conference matchup with the top seed in the playoffs on the line. Kickoff is set for 11:00 am at Clark Field during Principia's Homecoming weekend.
