ROCHESTER, NY – The Nazareth Rugby team played its first home match of the season Saturday but dropped a 37-11 decision to American International College (AIC) in a tough defensive battle.

The Yellowjackets, ranked No. 6 in the latest National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) rankings, scored first with a penalty kick to take an early 3-0 lead.

Nazareth answered with a kick of its own as sophomore Brendan O'Neill booted a penalty kick to knot the game at 3-3.

After a slow push up the field in back-and-forth action, AIC bullied its way through the middle of the line for a try and conversion kick to take a 10-3 lead.

Three minutes later, the Yellowjackets broke through again for a try to increase the lead to 17-3.

O'Neill struck again with another penalty kick to narrow the lead to 17-6.

As time was running out in the first half, junior Tyreik Thomas made a huge tackle at the 22 meter line but AIC pushed in for a try to increase the lead to 22-6 at halftime.

In the second half, AIC scored but missed the conversion kick and led 27-6.

Freshman Mohamed Barry made a nice run and scored the first try for Nazareth to trim the lead to 27-11.

The Yellowjackets scored two late trys for the final score of 37-11.

Nazareth will host Northeaster University Saturday with a 2 p.m. match on the Upper Field.