Utah Warriors Fight Off Chicago Hounds For First Road Win Of 2023

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Warriors defeated the Chicago Hounds in an intense road battle to win for the second consecutive match.

The Hounds hosted the Warriors at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois on Sunday, March 5. It was Chicago’s first home match as an Major League Rugby club.

Utah defeated Chicago, 14-10.

WARRIORS WIN#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/RoxW76DBpX

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) March 5, 2023

After falling behind early in the contest, the Warriors fought back and took their first lead of the match in the second half, Utah held off Chicago for its first road win of the season.

5:43 into the match, the Hounds connected on a penalty kick by Luke Carty to take an early 3-0 lead.

First-ever points at Seatgeek Stadium come off the boot of @HoundsChicago flyhallf Luke Carty!

🎥 @therugbynetwork | #CHIvUTAH | #MLR2023 pic.twitter.com/q4Mc1nLA5I

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) March 5, 2023

Chicago continued to control the contest for the next 25 minutes.

The Hounds slammed the ball to the turf for the match’s first try near the 30-minute mark on the game clock.

After the try, Carty made a conversion kick to help Chicago take a 10-0 lead over Utah.

Kick is good. 10-0 after half an hour of play. Very cool

— Chicago Hounds (@HoundsChicago) March 5, 2023

The Warriors quickly responded with a push down the field. During the 36th minute of action, the Warriors finally got onto the scoreboard with a five-point try by Henry Bell.

Joel Hodgson drilled a conversion kick to cut Chicago’s lead to 10-7.

The Hounds took the three-point advantage into the locker room at halftime.

Nothing but excitement in the first 40 minutes at SeatGeek stadium!

Check out the highlights from the first half and tune in @therugbynetwork to see how this one plays out.#CHIvUTAH | #MLR2023 pic.twitter.com/P5YktDvQrk

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) March 5, 2023

Utah opened the second half with a powerful press against Chicago. The Warriors maintained possession for a significant stretch and showcased their power against the home team.

During the 53rd minute of play, Joe Mano received a pass and ran down the near sideline with nothing but green grass in front of him. Mano placed the ball down in the try zone for a go-ahead score and the first points of the second half.

Following another conversion kick by Hodgson, the Warriors took a 14-10 lead.

We’re in an absolute dog fight right now

UTAH 14 – 10 CHI #ForTheNation

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) March 5, 2023

Utah and Chicago battled back and forth for the final 25 minutes of action but the Warriors managed to hold the Hounds scoreless over the final 50 minutes of game time.

With the win, the Warriors improved to a 2-1 record this season.

Utah’s next match is on the road against the NOLA Gold on Saturday, March 18 at 1 p.m. (MDT).

Follow @kyleireland