WEST POINT, N.Y.-In a contest that saw four lead changes, the American International College women's rugby team used a strong second half to top the Army Black Knights 32-29 to improve to 4-1 on the season.

After some early back and forth, AIC was the first to put points on the board with a penalty kick converted by Sarah Coucci. Shortly after, Army was able to score to take a lead. AIC made a good effort holding up a try initially, only for Army to find the try zone on the following scrum restart.

However, AIC responded by pressuring Army and charging down the field finishing with a Jess Davis try, taking an edge of 8-5. That lead looked as if it would expand as the Yellow Jackets marched down the field when Army capitalized with an interception. Freshman Jenise Powell tracked down the breakaway, but Army was able to pick up the ball and run it in for another try. The host team would add a conversion and one more try to take a 17-8 edge into halftime.

Army had the pressure on at the start of the second half, but with strong scrumming and fast hands AIC turned the pressure around, being the first score in the second half by Davis and conversion by Coucci to get within two at 17-15. They took advantage of penalties and Davis completed the hat trick out of the scrum to take a 20-17.

AIC added to their advantage after some back and forth play occurred, as a long run by AIC gained field space setting up a line-out that was mauled into the try zone, scored by freshman Amber Chandu to give the visitors a 25-17 edge.

The Jackets then scored one more time to take a 32-17 lead, with some key scrumming, stealing a scrum in their own defensive half then regaining possession by wheeling another scrum. After some field gaining phase play, scrum half Domonique Cammock was able to find the try zone and Coucci hit the conversion.

That proved critical as Army would pick up the pace in the final ten minutes, adding two tries in the last stages of the game to close the gap to 32-29 but could not regain the lead.

AIC returns to action for their home opener Saturday against the University of Massachusetts with a scheduled kickoff of 8:00 p.m.

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BOX SCORE

FINAL SCORE: AIC 32, Army 29

Tries: Jessica Davis (3), Amber Chandu, Domonique Cammock
Penalties: Sarah Coucci
Conversions: Sarah Coucci (2)