On a sunny autumn afternoon at Abdow Field, the American International College women’s rugby team put on an unforgettable performance, crushing Frostburg State University 101-12 in a National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) Division II match. The game, held on Senior Day, was a celebration of AIC’s senior players, and they did not disappoint, breaking the 100-point mark in a dominating display.
Reflecting on the day, senior Brianna Helman shared, “I thought our Senior Day was amazing. Going through college these past four years and watching your teammates before you enjoy their senior night was always a surreal moment. They just seemed so passionate and happy in that moment because it’s an emotional game. Knowing you won’t be playing on that field again is a sad thing to let go of, so finally having that day was blissful.”
The excitement began way before the game even started. The bleachers were full of fans, many of them there to support the seniors in their last home game. The AIC men’s rugby team made things even more lively, leading the crowd with cheers and chants throughout the match. This created an intense atmosphere that lasted from beginning to end.
Head coach T. Fletcher praised the energy on the field and in the stands: “Oh, I loved it. I’m always a fan of having our friends, our family, our professors, people from Springfield here to come support us because it’s an opportunity to grow the game of rugby. And I really thought that our crowd was electric.”
Ethan Grant, a member of the AIC men’s rugby team, added, “It was an amazing match to watch. We watched this match with the whole team, and there was a fantastic sphere in the stands. It is a game that the women’s [team] can be proud of.”
Helman also noted the crowd’s impact: “I thought the crowd was great,” she said. “So many of our families were there, all from different backgrounds, and them finally meeting each other was nice to see. The men’s team is always loud and supportive, and I love our family we built.”
The game was all AIC from the start. Just a few minutes in, Annekkia Ritter-Truxal scored the first try after a great pass, giving AIC an early lead. Then, Venise Sanft made a perfect kick, making it 7-0 right away. From then on, it was clear the Yellow Jackets were going to win big. The scoring kept going. Naomi Dodd made everyone cheer when she scored two tries really quickly, including a 60-meter run after a great steal, where she easily dodged Frostburg players. Isa Van de Zand and Ritter-Truxal scored more tries for AIC, and Sanft’s perfect kicks kept the score going up.
Frostburg managed to score late in the first half when Molly Wentling crossed the line, but AIC quickly reacted. Louisa Justice, Camryn Henderson, and Jendell Moe scored three more tries in less than five minutes, with Henderson’s kick making the score 50-5 for AIC at halftime.
Helman’s Senior Day was made even more special. “This was my first game playing after I had ACL surgery,” she said. “I was able to play all eighty minutes and score a try. It was very healing to be on the field after an injury like that. I’m just so grateful for the coaches and my teammates for making that game memorable.”
The stadium was full of excitement during halftime, with the men’s rugby team still getting the crowd hyped up. The energy stayed high, and the Yellow Jackets came out for the second half just as strong. In the first six minutes of the second half, Luna Bussing, Van de Zand, and Morgan Schechter each scored tries, showing that Frostburg couldn’t catch up. Helman scored another try soon after, making the score 70-5, and making the crowd go wild.
Frostburg scored again halfway through the second half, but AIC kept adding more points. Van de Zand got her third try with some amazing runs, and Talimaia Fuala’au and Angel Davis each scored two tries. As AIC got close to 100 points, the men’s rugby team yelled, cheering the Yellow Jackets on to reach the big milestone. Henderson calmly made the final kick as time ran out, pushing AIC to a 101-12 win. The stands erupted in celebration.
Head coach Fletcher was full of praise for the team’s performance: “Overall, I was really proud of the win. I think we executed our game plan, and I think it gives us a good platform to continue moving forward and cleaning up our areas where we kind of fall short.” She went on to express her hopes for more games like this: “I love the experience. And I want those games ten times more. And it doesn’t have to be Senior Day to encourage people to come out and support the women’s team, because they put a lot of work in the classroom, and put a lot of time in training. You guys do a lot of stuff outside of our designated times. So yeah, I’d like to see more of it.”
Helman reflected on the emotional significance of the day: “You can’t imagine the support you feel until you’re the one walking and Seth [Dussault] says your name and starts talking about your future after you graduate. It’s incredible.”
With the win, AIC’s record improved to 3-1 for the season and 2-0 in NIRA Division II play. The Yellow Jackets are looking to keep this momentum going as they aim for a championship in the coming weeks. As the sun set on Abdow Field, the energy from the game was still in the air. It was a day of celebration, complete dominance, and one that the AIC women’s rugby team and their fans will never forget.
