CHARLOTTE, North Carolina The American International College women's rugby team earned a 22-20 win in the NIRA Semifinal against Queens University on Saturday, November 13.

FAST FACTS:
Final Score: AIC 22, Queens University 20
Records: The Yellow Jackets rise to 7-2, while the Royals fall to 11-2
Location: Queens Sports Complex, Charlotte, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A few early penalties against AIC allowed the host Royals to kick for a 3-0 lead just over three minutes into the contest.
• The Yellow Jackets responded well to the early deficit, and the team scored the game's first try as a result as senior Brooke Garcia touched the ball down beyond the line off of a pick and go following sustained pressure deep in the Queens end of the field. Senior Kassidy Pothier converted to give AIC a 7-3 edge.
• Late in the half, Queens regained the advantage on the scoreboard, taking in a try after a broken tackle out wide in the 35th minute of play. The home side converted as well, giving the Royals a 10-7 lead at the break.
• Out of the halftime, Queens went down a player due to a yellow card for a high tackle, and AIC made the Royals pay. Taking several scrums and pushing upfield ultimately led to a try by junior Jessica Berggren, putting AIC ahead 12-10.
• AIC added to its lead on a turnover, as Annekkia Ritter-Truxal was able to jump on a missed pass and score another try; Pothier nailed the conversion to put AIC up 19-10.
• Queens came roaring back, and pulled to within four as AIC was called for a penalty inside its own 22, which the Royals used to punch a try in and cut the deficit to 19-15.
• Midway through the half, Queens used strong runs to push into AIC territory and beyond the try line. That score gave the home side a 20-19 advantage.
• Both teams battled hard, with their seasons on the line, and the score remained 20-19 into the final 10 minutes before sophomore Keiani Pangelinan and Berggren each broke off strong runs to move the ball deep into Queens territory. A third break, this time by rookie Ivana Kiripati, was cut down by another high tackle, bringing out the yellow card once more against the Royals.
• With mounting pressure, AIC was able to draw a penalty inside of the Queens 22-yard line. Pothier knocked through the penalty kick, giving AIC a 22-20 lead with under five minutes to play.
• AIC's defenses held, and the Yellow Jackets were able to secure the victory as Pothier kicked the ball out after a scrum to close the contest.

NEXT UP:

• AIC advances to the NIRA Division II Championship Game against West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
• The NIRA Championships will be held on Sunday, November 21 at Army West Point in West Point, New York.