Utah Warriors Can’t Overcome First Half Deficit, Lose To New Orleans Gold
Mar 18, 2023, 3:01 PM | Updated: Mar 20, 2023, 12:48 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Warriors fell to the New Orleans Gold on the road to make them 2-2 on the season.
New Orleans hosted Utah at Shrine Stadium in Metairie, Louisiana on Saturday, March 18.
The Warriors lost by 23 to the Gold, 37-14.
Just not our day. Head up#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/B1zEVVj5Ly
— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) March 18, 2023
First Half
The Gold got the game’s first score with a try in the 8th minute. They missed the conversion kick to keep the score at 5-0.
After a steal, New Orleans made it all the way to the goal line but couldn’t convert.
It was all New Orleans in the first 20 minutes. They scored again on an impressive diving try to take a 10-0 lead.
After the Gold connected on a penalty kick to extend the lead to 13, the Warriors had a strong drive that took them all the way to the goal line. They tried to force it in but the Gold defense ultimately held its ground.
After getting a stop on one end, New Orleans came down on the other end and scored their third try of the first half.
In the 39th minute, the Gold added to their lead before the half with another try. New Orleans led 25-0.
Half. pic.twitter.com/LOdJWNZKJ4
— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) March 18, 2023
Second Half
The Gold came out in a spread-out, preventative defense in the second half.
Lance Williams scored the first points for Utah with a try in the 49th minute. The Warriors made the conversion kick to make the score 25-7.
TRY TIME
Lance Williams puts us on the board!#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/W24iUY2wUV
— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) March 18, 2023
Utah regained possession after a forward pass by New Orleans resulted in a turnover.
In the 63rd minute, the Warriors made it all the way to the goal line but dropped the ball just before breaking the plane.
The Gold got another try in the 70th minute to score their 30th point of the match.
The Warriors put together an excellent drive to answer with a try of their own in the 73rd minute.
Mika up the middle for an automatic 7!
UTAH 12 – 30 NOLA#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/Oejy5sdCFv
— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) March 18, 2023
New Orleans came back and scored another try in the final minute. They made the conversion kick to make the final score 37-14.
Utah’s next match is against the Toronto Arrows at home on Saturday, March 25 at 2:30 p.m. (MDT).
Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.
