INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Principia College Thunder Chickens kicked off their Big Rivers Rugby Conference campaign with a hard-fought 22-15 victory over Marian University on Saturday. After a slower start that saw them fall behind early, Principia mounted a determined comeback to begin conference play 1-0. Marian struck first, taking an 8-0 lead within the first ten minutes. After a successful penalty kick put them on the board five minutes in, a try soon afterward gave them early momentum. Principia struggled to find their rhythm on offense throughout much of the first half, but they found the spark they needed just before the halftime whistle. Tobin Blair intercepted a kick pass around midfield, immediately offloading to Dexter Mbwinja. As Mbwinja was getting tackled, he sent a wide pass to Kudzai Chiwara, who sprinted down the sideline, gaining crucial ground before making a perfect inside pass to a charging Damilola Odunuga. Odunuga sped past the defense and placed the ball under the goalposts for the try. Damir Conci added the conversion, bringing the score to 8-7 at halftime and swinging the momentum in Principia's favor.