AIC Wins President's Trophy Over NEC

AIC Wins President's Trophy Over NEC

American International College spoiled New England College's homecoming match by winning 51-17 in a clash of D1AA independent teams on Saturday.

Sep 17, 2017 by Alex Goff
AIC Wins President's Trophy Over NEC
American International College spoiled New England College's homecoming match by winning 51-17 in a clash of D1AA independent teams on Saturday.

The result earned AIC the Presidents Shield for the third straight time.

"It's great to bring the Presidents Shield back home to AIC," Yellow Jackets head coach Rob Guiry said. "It's the only home it knows, and we plan on keeping it that way. Our president, Vince Maniaci, loves his rugby, and I know winning this match up means a lot to him."

The visiting Yellow Jackets put pressure on early, and AIC's Michi Magistrali slotted three early penalty goals before NEC all-star Isaiah Lopez raced over for a try. The score remained 9-5 until 10 minutes before halftime, when AIC flyhalf Jihad Khabir started to work his magic. Khabir scored a try, which Magistrali converted, and then No. 8 Matty Jones went over to make it, with the conversion, 23-5 at the break. 

Khabir opened the second half with back-to-back tries to put AIC in control with a 38-5 lead. Khabir made it four tries midway through the second half. NEC scored two late before Demi Ajeigbe capped off the day with a try that he converted.

AIC players Nic Franklyn (left), Jihad Khabir (center), and Marcus McIntyre (right) with the President's Shield. Justin Leaphart photo.

"We played an OK game, kept composure as a team when it got chippy," AIC lock Tommy Clark said. "The backs showed a good display of ball movement once again. Overall we are happy with the outcome, but there are still things we need to adjust as a team to become that championship team we want to be."

Khabir has been at the forefront of the Yellow Jackets' scoring for some years now, and his ability to break open a game was on display Saturday.

"We started off a touch slow but once we got into our rhythm things seem to flow well," the flyhalf Khabir said. "We still have to continue to work on our defensive shape. Next week we'll be sharper."