Warriors dominate Legion in preseason matchup

HERRIMAN, Utah (February 24, 2024) – The Utah Warriors hosted San Diego Legion for a preseason matchup this Saturday, taking down the Legion 40-0. The game spoke to the Warriors’ preparation for the 2024 MLR season after a disappointing scrimmage with LA last weekend. 

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“The key word was momentum,” said Warriors Head Coach Greg Cooper of the game. “The Warriors can be a team that when we get momentum, we’re really good; when we lose momentum, we’re not so good. So we talked about understanding when we’re losing momentum and how to get it back. I think that was a big factor.”

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The first 20 minutes of the match were scoreless, though not uneventful. San Diego came within reach of the try line a few different times, but Utah was able to hold their side back. The two teams traded possession throughout the beginning of the match before Utah wing and 2023 try leader Joe Mano went down injured just ahead of the first water break.

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Thomas Tu’avao then scored the first try of the match in the 28th minute, starting the momentum that would carry the Warriors through the rest of the game. Robbie Povey, who is in his first season with the squad, kicked a successful conversion to give the Warriors an extra point and set the score at 7-0. 

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Jesse Hamilton put another try down in the 36th minute, his first of three in the match. Povey again followed with a successful conversion, and the score stayed at 14-0 through the half.

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“Defensively in the first half, we came under a bit of pressure,” said Cooper. “I think our courage to defend our line was really important, and we took our chances.”

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Hamilton kicked off the scoring in the second half in the 54th minute, and veteran flyhalf Joel Hodgson put the conversion through the posts for the extra points. San Diego pushed back with a run just missing the try line, but Utah continued its fight and kept the Legion off the board.

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The final 10 minutes of the game saw three tries for Utah from three different players.Isaia Kruse kicked off the slew of tries in the 71st minute after the Warriors fought their way back to the try line. Just two minutes later, a clean offload from Sione Mahe gave Kalisi Moli the opportunity to put down another Utah try. Hamilton finished off the match with a dramatic try just outside the posts. Hodgson put in one final conversion and the shutout game finished at 40-0.

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With the preseason match finished, the Warriors side will focus on the next job at hand as they head into regular season competition. The Warriors will start the season on the road next weekend as when they head to Houston to take on the SaberCats.

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“The big thing is, everyone knows Houston is a really physical team,” said Cooper of the team’s preparation for their next game. “So we’ve got to recover well, get our energy, get our physicality ready for Houston.”

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The March 2 game against Houston will be broadcast on FS2. Utah fans can also head to Redemption Bar & Grill in Herriman for a watch party.

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Following the road match, Utah will return to Zions Bank Stadium for its home opener on March 9. The Warriors will face the Chicago Hounds. Tickets are on sale now here.