Rio reaches semifinals of Big Rivers 7s tourney

Rio Grande Sports Information
     INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The University of Rio Grande reach the semifinal round of the Big Rivers Rugby Conference 7's Tournament, which took place on Sunday at Marian University.
     The RedStorm began the day in pool play, tying Iowa Central College, 17-17, and defeating Trine University, 24-14.
     Head coach Brad Sandig's squad then ousted Principia University, 26-21, in the quarterfinals before falling to conference power and eventual tournament champion Wheeling University, 43-7.
     In the opening match of the day, the RedStorm bolted to a 17-5 lead thanks to a pair of tries by sophomore Sunny Staffieri (Lostwithel, England) and another score by senior Solomone Ahoia (Los Angeles, CA) before the Tritons rallied forge the tie.
     Rio Grande took a 19-0 halftime lead and cruised to the win over Trine.
     Junior Ethan Manuel (Durban, South Africa) found the try zone three different times, while sophomore Thibault Carerre (Dax, Landes, France) had a try and three conversions.
     The quarterfinal round win over Principia was a come-from-behind effort after the RedStorm trailed 21-14 early in the second half.
     Freshman Tristan Price's (Johannesberg, South Africa) try and frsshman Jacob Griffin (England) conversion allowed Rio to forge a tie, while a try by Manuel - his third of the contest - provided the winning points.
     Junior Lelenimo Taii (Faga'alu, American Samoa) had a pair of conversions in the comeback effort.
     The RedStorm drew first blood in the semifinal tilt with Wheeling with a try by Manuel and a conversion by freshman Luke Turner (Eastbourne, England), but the Cardinals responded with seven unanswered tries to win going away.
     Rio Grande now plays the waiting game to see if it earns an at-large bid to the Premi9er Cup portion of National Collegiate Rugby's Collegiate Rugby Championship, which begins April 25 in Washington, D.C.
     NCR's selection show is scheduled for Saturday.