Utah Warriors Remain Winless After Road Loss To Austin Gilgronis
Feb 19, 2022, 7:50 PM | Updated: Jul 22, 2022, 11:39 am
(Courtesy of Utah Warriors Rugby)
(Courtesy of Utah Warriors Rugby)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Warriors remained winless after suffering a road loss to Austin Gilgronis in the team’s third match of the season.
Gilgronis hosted the Warriors at Bold Stadium in Del Valle, Texas on Saturday, February 19.
Utah fell to Austin, 24-10.
We'll see you in Herriman on March 5.#ForTheNation || #AUSvUTAH pic.twitter.com/vBMIiN8Kyd
— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) February 20, 2022
“I think we struggled a lot,” Warriors head coach Shawn Pittman said after the loss. “We build momentum and then give up a lineout or commit a penalty…it’s an issue.”
The first 30 minutes of the contest featured a defensive battle between both squads.
The first points of the night came on a try from Gilgronis during the 31st minute of action. After a conversion kick, Austin took a 7-0 lead.
It took 30 minutes, but @Gilgronis score first as Campbell powers over.
Tune in to #AUSvUTAH now on @therugbynetwork pic.twitter.com/26Z8nb9SPp
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) February 20, 2022
The Warriors went into the halftime break trailing by seven points.
First half highlights of #AUSvUTAH where @utwarriorsrugby have held @gilgronis to just one try.
📺 @therugbynetwork | #MLR2022 pic.twitter.com/wB3zg6ytZf
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) February 20, 2022
During the opening minutes of the second half, Caleb Makene got Utah on the board with a kick that sailed through the uprights during the 47th minute. Makene’s kick made is a 7-3 contest.
Caleb Makene puts us on the board in the 47th minute 👏
UTAH – 3 || AUS – 7#ForTheNation || #AUSvUTAH
— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) February 20, 2022
However, Austin quickly responded.
Gilgronis marched down the pitch and scored its second try of the game to extend their lead. Austin missed its conversion kick and the score stayed a 12-3.
In the 55th minute, Austin accelerated down the field for another try to stretch its lead to 17-12.
TRY! Akina turns on the jets for @gilgronis
Tune in to #AUSvUTAH now on @therugbynetwork pic.twitter.com/sLfBAYXx6W
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) February 20, 2022
Gilgronis started to pull away in the subsequent minutes. Another try in the 60th minute gave Austin a 22-3 advantage. A successful conversion kick made it 24-3 before the game’s final hydration break.
In the 69th minute, Tomasi Tonga scored for the Warriors’ first try of the match. Tonga’s try and a conversion kick by Makene cut Austin’s lead to 24-10.
An unforgettable moment for the rookie out of Herriman, Utah. #ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/QXAsA3hPoe
— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) February 20, 2022
The final 10 minutes of action were scoreless and Austin held on for a 14-point win.
With the loss, the Warriors fell to an 0-3-0 record.
We’ve kicked off in Austin! @Gilgronis look to keep up their high-powered offense, but can @UtahWarriorsRugby put a stop to it and notch one in the win column?
📺 LIVE now @therugbynetwork | #AUSvUTAH | #MLR2022 pic.twitter.com/xcwlWgaWNP
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) February 20, 2022
Utah’s next game is the team’s home opener. The Warriors will host the Dallas Jackals on Saturday, March 5 at 12 p.m. (MDT). The match will be streamed on the KSL Sports app and on KSLSports.com.
