GRR: ECRC
I got to spend some time with the American International College men’s rugby program this past week, and it was an interesting experience.
After year of wishing and hoping that colleges would truly embrace rugby as a sport that can help recruit students, and keep students in school, there is this little-known, 140-year-old school that has done just that.
American International College played a rare Thursday night game ahead of their Homecoming Weekend, and defeated ECRC rivals UConn 87-16.
The game was AIC’s because they were stronger in the scrum, stole a large percentage of the UConn’s lineouts, and were just too darned fast.
It's still AIC and Boston College at the top of the ECRC after both the Yellow Jackets and the Eagles won Saturday.
AIC slammed Middlebury 88-0, paced by three tries from Jihad Khabir and 26 points from Lui Sitama with eight conversions and two tries. No. 8 Matt Jones was a big part of AIC's go-forward, and captain Skyler Adams added two tries.
Boston College moved to 4-0 in the ECRC Sunday with a 27-16 defeat of previously 3-1 New England College, putting the Eagles on equal footing with undefeated AIC.
BC actually gave up their first points of their conference season in this game, having logged three straight shutouts. Still, the Eagles were pleased to have dispatched the Lions.
It’s been a year of college teams moving up a division and testing their mettle - some have done well, while others have struggled, and certainly in the former category would be New England College, as the defending National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) champions defeated #28 UMass 18-8 Saturday in ECRC conerence action.