Utah Warriors Suffer Season-Opening Loss To San Diego Legion
Feb 6, 2022, 5:17 PM
(Courtesy of Utah Warriors Rugby)
(Courtesy of Utah Warriors Rugby)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Warriors suffered a season-opening loss on the road to the San Diego Legion to begin the 2022 Major League Rugby season.
San Diego hosted Utah on the pitch at San Diego State University Sports Deck on Sunday, February 6.
Utah lost to San Diego, 31-29.
First of many. #ForTheNation #SDvsUTAH #MLR2022 #RiseOfRugby pic.twitter.com/AZC4Z8i0iO
— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) February 7, 2022
The first points of the season came 10 minutes into the match when Cliven Loubser connected on a penalty kick to give Utah an early 3-0 lead.
After a brief technical delay, we're underway with an epic western conference clash … @sdlegion now hosts @utwarriorsrugby!
Here are the first points off the boot of Cliven Loubser for the visitors.
📺 LIVE now @therugbynetwork | #SDvUTAH | #MLR2022 pic.twitter.com/4HlJdk5iwv
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) February 6, 2022
In the 21st minute, San Diego took a 5-3 lead on a try.
TRY! @SDLegion get on the board through fullback Joe Pietersen as they take the lead against @utwarriorsrugby.
Don't miss any of the action!
📺 @therugbynetwork | #SDvUTAH | #MLR2022 pic.twitter.com/ibqPQN5Hlu
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) February 6, 2022
The Legion took the two-point lead in the halftime break.
Every time @SDLegion and @utwarriorsrugby square off, we’re always on the edge of our seats! Check out the highlights from the first half.
👀 See how the second half plays out on @therugbynetwork! #SDvUTAH | #MLR2022 pic.twitter.com/yuMKDEH4aZ
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) February 6, 2022
During the 43rd minute, San Diego converted another try to extend its lead to 10-3.
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Four minutes later, the Legion found their way across the try line for another score. The try and a successful conversion pushed San Diego’s lead to 17-3.
The Warriors found their first points of the second half on a try in the 59th minute. After an unsuccessful conversion kick, Utah trailed 17-8.
San Diego quickly responded with a try in the 62nd minute. The Legion took a 24-8 lead after the try and a conversion kick.
Utah bounced back with a try by Loubser in the 69th minute of game time. Loubser connected on a conversion kick to make it a 24-15 game with 10 minutes to go.
TRY from Cliven brings it to single digits
UTAH 15 // SD 24#ForTheNation #SDvsUTAH pic.twitter.com/7CKeIZqX8O
— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) February 6, 2022
In the 74th minute, the Legion looked to put the match away with a try and conversion to make it 31-15 San Diego.
However, the Warriors weren’t done scoring. Mikey Te’o handed the ball off to Caleb Makene, who sprinted for a try in the 80th minute. The score cut Utah’s deficit to 31-22.
Caleb Makene kicks it into high gear for @utwarriorsrugby to score an impressive end-to-end try against @SDLegion!
📺 @therugbynetwork | #SDvUTAH | #MLR2022 pic.twitter.com/PBMvt82JVb
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) February 7, 2022
Warriors hooker TuVere Vugakoto added a try in the 88th minute to cut San Diego’s lead to 31-29.
Unfortunately, Utah’s comeback attempt ran out of time and the Warriors fell by two points.
With the loss, the Warriors opened their 2022 season with an 0-1-0 record.
Utah’s next game is on the road against the Seattle Seawolves on Thursday, February 10 at 8:30 p.m. (MDT). The match will be streamed on the KSL Sports app and on KSLSports.com.
