The American International College Yellow Jackets opened up their ECRC Conference with a 24-7 defeat of New England College in the President Trophy rivalry match.

This was NEC’s first DI college game, as they have moved up from the National Small College Rugby Organization division. NEC in fact led early, scoring off a penalty and lineout in the 5th minute to lead 7-0. But AIC replied with a try from wing Deshae Edwards, who chased down a Jihad Khabir kick to touch down. And then wing Lui Sitama went over on a similar play on the other side to give the Yellow Jackets a lead they would not relinquish.

Fullback Michele Magistrali converted Sitama’s score to make it 12-7, and it stayed that until less than ten minutes to go in the first half. The the AIC forwards set a nice platform and with some space Khabir slid through a gap in the NEC line to score a try of his own to make 19-7.

In the second half, AIC mustered just the one try - from a five-meter scrum, center Adrian Ray split the defenders and powered over the cover defense to score and make it 24-7.