Principia defeated Washington University in Saint Louis 19-0 on Saturday afternoon in a match at Forest Park. Both teams took advantage of the unusually calm weather to utilize punting. Principia scored all three of their trys in the first half. The first try came in the 16th minute when Principia was awarded a 5 metere scrum. After winning the scrum and controling the ball through several phases, scrum half Paul Olsen dished the ball to winger Ezra Ranz on the weak side of the field, who ran it into the try zone for 5 points. Two minutes later Principia overloaded Washington University during a ruck, and 8-man Alex Owen ran the ball into the try zone to add another 5 points. In the 30th minute Owen scored again after intercepting a pass. Olsen converted on two of three attempts. Washington University nearly scored at the end of the first half after pinning Principia against their own try zone, but strong rucking by the Thunder Chickens led to a penalty against the Griffins, and Principia was able to punt the ball to touch.
Both teams had several scoring opportunities in the second half as well. Washington University had a brilliant punt into Principia’s try zone, but was foiled by winger Brad Bosak who touched the ball down to earn a 22 drop. Twice fullback Brian Davenport, imitating Taylor Post’s stellar first half fullback performance, was able to run punts back nearly the entire length of the field only to be stopped from scoring by Washington University’s fullback.
Principia’s forwards played extremely well and conrolled both the scrum and lineouts.