SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Navy women's rugby team (0-2, 0-2 NIRA) battled American International College (1-0, 1-0 NIRA) in a tight, back-and-forth road contest on Saturday afternoon in Springfield, Mass., before a late second-half surge lifted the Yellow Jackets to a 32-17 victory.
 
"The team had a strong effort today," head coach Murph McCarthy said. "AIC has had a lot of success recently and they were the better team today. We played well and had them tied in the second half, but a few mistakes put the game out of reach."
 
AIC opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Camryn Henderson touched down for a try and added the conversion kick to give the Yellow Jackets an early 7-0 lead.
 
Navy quickly responded less than three minutes later. Arica Spencer crossed the try line at the 12:35 mark, cutting the deficit to 7-5.
 
Henderson extended the AIC lead to 10-5 with a penalty kick in the 16th minute. Navy's defense held strong for the remainder of the half, keeping the game a one-possession contest at the break.
 
The Midshipmen tied the game shortly after halftime. Ellie Pierson broke through for a try at the 48:30 mark to even the score at 10-10.
 
AIC reclaimed the lead and pulled away over the next 15 minutes. Naomi Dodd scored a try at 55:50, followed by another try and conversion by Henderson at 61:20. Kiyanah Edwards added a try at 68:20 and Dodd scored her second of the day at 70:44 to build a 32-10 advantage for the Yellow Jackets.
 
Navy continued to play hard through the final whistle, getting back on the board in the closing minutes. Lindsey Romero recorded a try at the 78:21 mark to cap the scoring.
 
Navy returns to Annapolis for its first home game of the season against Lindenwood next Friday, Sept. 25. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Prusmack Rugby Center.
 
Box Score
9:48 – Try – AIC – Camryn Henderson (0-5)
Conversion kick – Camryn Henderson (0-7)
 
12:35 – Try – Navy – Arica Spencer (5-7)
 
15:45 – Penalty kick – AIC – Camryn Henderson (5-10)
 
48:30 – Try – Navy – Ellie Pierson (10-10)
 
55:50 – Try – AIC – Naomi Dodd (10-15)
 
61:20 – Try – AIC – Camryn Henderson (10-20)
Conversion kick – Camryn Henderson (10-22)
 
68:20 – Try – AIC – Kiyanah Edwards (10-27)
 
70:44 – Try – AIC – Naomi Dodd (10-32)
 
78:21 – Try – Navy – Lindsey Romero (15-32)
Conversion kick - Meagan Alvarez (17-32)