SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College men's rugby team overcame an early score by Iona University in a 62-38 win in Liberty Rugby Conference play on Sunday, September 14.

AIC is now 2-0 overall and in the LRC.

The Gaels were able to take possession of the ball early and work around the right side of the field for an Andrew Hart try barely three minutes into the contest, with a James Phelps conversion giving the guests a 7-0 lead.

AIC bounced back, however, scoring the next three tries over 13:58 of play. Ivan Rossi tied the game at 6:52 with a try and conversion, then Tyler Cathers put AIC on top at 9:30. Filimone Manu then scored an impressive try on a long run at 17:03, with German Rossi's conversion giving AIC a 19-7 lead.

Hart struck again for Iona on a similar play to his first score 5:01 after Manu's score, and Phelps hit the kick to cut AIC's lead back to five. 

The Yellow Jackets were determined not to let Iona regain the lead, and pounded home three tries before halftime, with German Rossi, Ariel Balsamo, and Mateo Castro each striking for scores; German Rossi also had a conversion to give the home squad a 36-14 halftime lead.

Both teams scored in the first 8:08 of the second half; Axel Strasser finished a quick strike for AIC before Robbie Hopkins answered for the Gaels. The game bogged down from there for about 10 minutes before AIC managed another offensive outburst, as Arguello, Ivan Rossi, and Manu Hernandez scored in a 7:20 stretch to effectively put the game away. German Rossi converted the first two tries, while Ivan Rossi kicked through on the last one.

AIC emptied its bench to use all available reserves, and the Gaels took advantage with three tries in the final 6:21, but the hole was far too deep to dig out of as the Yellow Jackets finished with a comfortable 62-38 win.

The Yellow Jackets next face Dartmouth College on Saturday, September 20 at 2:00 p.m. in Hanover, New Hampshire.