SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The question lingered, hanging in the air above Ronald J. Abdow Field for months: were they ready for the next level?

The answer from the American International College women's rugby team was a resounding yes. 

The Yellow Jackets defeated the United States Naval Academy 32-17 in AIC's first-ever National Intercollegiate Rugby Association Division I contest on Saturday, September 19.

It was a defensive-minded first half for the most part, but AIC opened the scoring in the 10th minute as the Yellow Jackets pushed the Midshipmen back into their own end of the field and Queri Beuter picked up a misfired pass 15 yards from the try line. From there, AIC pushed directly into the defense, and Camryn Henderson put down the first try of the season, converting as well for a 7-0 lead.

Navy quickly answered, with a breakaway try barely three minutes later into the left side of the try zone by Arica Spencer, but the angle meant the conversion attempt missed, allowing AIC to retain a 7-5 lead.

In the 16th minute, Henderson tacked on more points, booting a penalty kick through from 23 yards out and giving AIC a 10-5 edge. 

Both defenses locked down from there through the half, with each side forcing turnovers to keep the score close through 40 minutes.

Early in the second half, Navy drew even, mauling forward on a lineup deep in AIC territory to tie the game in the 51st minute, as Brooke Pierson put the ball down for the try. Once again, the conversion angle was right along the sideline, and the kick missed, keeping the score tied 10-10.

AIC then went down a player as Amalani Bonds was sent off with a yellow card for a high tackle. Rather than defending while shorthanded, AIC went on the attack, and it was Naomi Dodd out of a scrum near midfield who darted through defenders and put down the go-ahead try in the 56th minute. Henderson converted and AIC led 17-10.

The Yellow Jackets then erupted for three more tries. Henderson notched her second of the game in the 62nd minute, finishing off a kick-and-go from just outside of the try zone, and added her own conversion for a 22-10 edge. Seven minutes later, Mahina Hafoka went on a long run across the middle of the field, taking nearly 60 yards before a last-second offload to Kiyanah Edwards for the finish.

Dodd then scored perhaps the flashiest try of all, returning the ensuing kickoff down the left side and expanding AIC's lead to 32-10 with under 10 minutes to play.

Navy's Caroline Shegogue scored a try in the 78th minute to cap the scoring, leaving AIC with the 32-17 win; Henderson's game-high 17 matched Navy's entire team output.

The Yellow Jackets will continue their season on October 3 at 11:00 a.m. at Dartmouth College.