Warriors finish off 2023 season with win over New York

MOUNT VERNON, NY. — The Utah Warriors put together one of their best road performances of the year in rushing past the New York Ironworkers 43-33 on Sunday.

Despite having been eliminated from playoff contention the week prior, the Warriors kept a positive attitude throughout, and all of that showed in Sunday’s performance. From the start Utah showed accurate and physical before setting the tone within the first few minutes of the second half.

“When we were under pressure we sucked up our bellies and we were strong,” said Warriors coach Greg Cooper. “We attacked well, put pressure on (them), and defended when we needed to. We obviously gave away a few, but I thought it was a good attitude right until the end.”

Utah was down several key contributors entering the match — most notably leading scorer Joe Mano and Mika Kruse, who were replaced by Jesse Hamilton in his MLR debut and Cliven Loubser, respectively.

Both replacements proved solid and even electric throughout, with Loubser accounting for two tries and Hamilton one, with both receiving praise from Cooper, along with the general attitude of his team.

“We relied a lot today on the unity of the team and accuracy to get us through,” Cooper said.

Henry Bell led off the scoring, punching through a try off a maul situation for a 5-0 lead in the sixth minute.

New York took a 7-5 lead with a try and conversion kick just six minutes later before Loubser recorded his first try off an assist from Caleb Makene. A failed conversion kick saw Utah take a narrow 10-7 lead.