SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - In a game where every second counted and every inch was critical, the American International College women's rugby team found a way to win a 33-32 National Intercollegiate Rugby Association victory over Sacred Heart University on Sunday, October 18.

AIC is now 3-1 in NIRA play.

The match had to be moved in both date and time due to weather, but having home field advantage did not mean a quick start for AIC; it was the Pioneers striking first, working the ball outside and scoring a try on the work of Sam Melvin less than three minutes in. The edge-side strike did result in a missed conversion attempt, however.

A yellow card gave AIC a chance to get back into it, and it happened in a flash; a knock on was grabbed by Naomi Dodd, and the captain eluded a tackle before breaking 65 yards for a score. Camryn Henderson converted and AIC led 7-5 after the 13th minute.

Sacred Heart answered back in the 19th minute, retaking the lead again on another sweep around the left wing, with Maria-Jean Paulino touching the ball to ground; again, the angle of the conversion resulted in a miss, keeping AIC within three.

AIC kept using the strength of its forwards to get deep into Pioneers territory, and a scrum about 10 yards out was just what the Yellow Jackets needed; off a subsequent penalty, Queralt Beuter took a tap-and-go, diving into the left corner of the try zone in the 26th minute.

However, Sacred Heart had other ideas, scoring twice in a five-minute span with Viola Koning booting a penalty kick through for three and then converting after Paulino put home her second try, giving the Pioneers a 20-12 lead at halftime.

AIC came out firing in the second half, and the Yellow Jackets thought they had scored less than three minutes in, but were called for going out of the back of the try zone.

However, the Pioneers were called for a penalty on a lineout shortly after, giving AIC the ball back, and this time the Yellow Jackets made no mistakes, with Emerson Callegari ultimately punching the ball over the line and Henderson converting to pull back within one in the 47th minute.

As time wound down, the teams traded scores again. Ella Huntley put the Pioneers back in the lead in the 53rd minute, but AIC's defense came up clutch after, forcing Sacred Heart back deep in its own territory. The Pioneers set up to try to kick out of trouble, but Mahina Hafoka jumped in front of the ball, blocking it down, and picking the bouncing ball up just outside the try line before diving forward to score in the 58th minute, and Henderson's conversion put AIC ahead 26-25.

For 14 minutes, that lead held, but the Pioneers pushed forward and finally broke through again. Melvin again was the finisher, faking a maul after a lineout and then dodging through the remaining defense to score in the 67th minute; Koning converted, extending the lead to six.

AIC's attack remained relentless, especially in the middle, and the Yellow Jackets were able to drive to the try line before working the ball to the left wing and Dodd, who beat her defenders to the line with just under five minutes left in regulation.

That left the score in the balance. Sacred Heart still led by one, and Henderson needed to make a tough kick to flip that to AIC. Her right foot rang true, and her team led 33-32 as the ball sailed through the uprights.

Sacred Heart was able to regain possession, and did not need a try to steal the win; a kick would be enough to take the lead. As the game went into stoppage time, the Yellow Jackets needed either a penalty against the Pioneers or a takeaway. 

As the Pioneers drove inside the 15-yard line, they tried to fake right, but AIC did not bite; Haley Thompson made the first contact and she and Makaleta Bloomfield were able to strip the ball out. Rafielle Barrack kicked out of bounds, and the final whistle sounded, giving AIC a much-needed win.

AIC will next face defending Division I champion Harvard University at Abdow Field on Friday, October 30 at 7:30 p.m. for the team's Senior Night match.