Warriors fall at home to SaberCats

HERRIMAN — The Utah Warriors again showed glimpses of brilliance mixed with bouts of impatient play and mistakes at inopportune junctures in taking a 28-12 loss at the hands of the Houston SaberCats on Saturday.

The Warriors incurred an early deficit and were forced to play catchup in what has become all too uncommon this year in the loss. The match saw SaberCats jump out to a 14-0 lead at the half, extending that lead to 21-0 in the second before Utah managed to put its first points on the board.

Although the scoring would indicate a slow start those in attendance saw otherwise, including Warriors coach Shawn Pittman.

“That first 20 minutes was very physical and dominating for us — especially that first six or seven minutes,” Pittman said.

Indeed the first 20 minutes saw Utah force a lot of action, although none of the action amounted to points. On at least three occasions in the first half saw the Warriors reach well within the 5 meters of the try line, only to be repelled by either strong play by Houston, calls going against them, but mostly due to one other key factor.

“I don’t think it’s due to Houston’s physicality, but due to lack of patience by us,” Pittman said of the failed possessions deep within SaberCat territory. “We just get too impatient and forced our hand a little too early.”

Playing in his first match with the Warriors this season, Paul Lasike observed a lot of the same from the sidelines.

“We came away with no points, and we just couldn’t seem to connect,” Lasike said. “I’ll have to look through the film to see exactly what it was, but I think we did better in the second half, whereas in the first half I think there was too much miscommunication.”

Lasike entered the match in the 53rd minute and made his presence felt immediately, with the Warriors scoring a try 10 minutes later on a plunge by Tuvere Vugakoto up the middle, cutting the lead to 21-5 after a failed conversion kick.

The Warriors maintained momentum thereafter, leading up to Lasike crossing the try line after taking an aggressive lateral from Lance Williams, cutting the lead to 21-12 in the game’s 72nd minute.

“I think the boys were very much excited when he came on,” Pittman said. “And when he did come on, he made a huge impact. He carried the ball well and recycled it well. He had sparks of brilliance, especially the try he had.”

“It was nice to get a try, but ultimately it’s a team game,” Lasike added. “I’m glad I got it, but it’s really bittersweet.”

But any hope of a comeback win was all but squashed by an errant Utah pass that led to Houston scoring another try in the 79th minute for a 28-12 lead, which proved to be the final outcome. The loss sends Utah back down the standings with its 2-5 record, with a potential postseason berth in a lot of jeopardy.

“I’m frustrated and I know the boys are too,” Pittman said. “That was a big one for us, especially where we sit in the standings.”

The feeling amongst the team is a need to turn things around in short order, and do away with what Lasike feels is static play.

“There are some glimpses of really good rugby there, but I feel that we’re kind of static at the moment,” Lasike said. “We haven’t yet made that step forward. It wasn’t necessarily a step back today, but we’re pretty static the last couple of weeks and we haven’t really taken the next level to click on all cylinders.”

The Warriors will look to rebound with a quick turnaround in taking on the San Diego Union this coming Friday at Zions Bank Stadium.