SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – The American International College men's rugby team made the most of opportunities as they defeated Northeastern University 30-10 on Friday, September 16.

AIC was assessed a yellow card on the kickoff, forcing the team to play man-down early. However, that did not stop Juan Pablo Barzi, who in the sixth minute stole a kick attempt deep in his team's defensive side of the field and flew past defenders to the left side of the try zone for the game's first score.

About nine minutes later, Nafitalai Kalaniualu was also able to put a ball down in the try zone, pushing through the Northeastern defenses on the left side again as the AIC offense drove the Huskies back in a show of force.

It looked like the lead would remain 10-0 heading into halftime, until Barzi struck again. He deftly wove past Huskies to the middle of the try zone, touching down his second to send AIC to the half ahead 15-0.

Out of the break, neither team scored until the midpoint of the half. AIC's physical strength was again on display in a battle that saw Rakeem Ridore finally break into the try zone. Then, with a little more than 11 minutes left, Kalaniualu again put down, pushing AIC's lead to 25-0; German Rossi converted to add two more.

Rossi also scored AIC's last points just over a minute later as the Huskies fouled deep in their own end and the Yellow Jackets opted to kick for three. His boot sailed true, giving AIC a 30-0 lead.

The Huskies scored two late tries in stoppage time, but the only impact it had on the outcome was the score differential.

AIC next faces Dartmouth under the lights at Abdow Field on Friday, September 23 at 5:30 p.m.