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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah men’s rugby team squared off against the Cal Bears March 3 in Rio Tinto Stadium in what proved to be a highly competitive game.
This game was a rematch of the 2011 Premier League Semi-Final. On that day, Cal proved to be the better team with a 62-14 victory over the Utes. Saturday's contest was far different than the last meeting. Cal started off strong, but Utah defense played tough all afternoon. Cal got on the board first on a penalty kick. Shortly after, Cal broke the Utah defense for a score, making the contest 8-0 in the first 11 minutes. Utah had its chances to attack on offense but came up short a few different times. Toward the end of the first half Cal converted another penalty score, extending the lead to 11-0 at the half.
In a close physical contest, both teams looked evenly matched and both sides played with great intensity. To begin the second half, Utah led the charge and continued fighting to gain ground on offense. The Utah forwards had a dominant performance and their play helped to set up Utah’s first score. Off of loose play with the forwards, scrum half Don Pati split the defense down the middle of the field for the try under the center of the posts. Fly half Danny Christensen converted the point after, putting the Utes right back into the ball game, making the score 11-7.
Cal extended the lead with another penalty kick, making it a 14-7 contest. Moments later, the Utes had a chance to convert a penalty kick. Christensen split the posts, making it 14-10. The Bears then had another chance for points off of a Utah penalty. The successful penalty score extended the Cal lead 17-10.
Utah was still in the contest and continued to battle. With the Bears pinned deep in their own territory, Cal kicked the ball downfield into the hands of Utah fullback Lopeti Lauti. Lauti split a couple of defenders and got passed the Cal defensive line. As he was being tackled, he passed the ball to his teammate and brother, outside center Tonata Lauti, who took it the rest of the way, breaking a tackle and making the score. The conversion was missed, making the score 17-15 for Cal.
But the Utes weren’t finished. The Utes got the ball deep in Cal territory, and the Utah forwards and continued the full-speed attack. After a few phases working to punch in the score, Utah eightman Alex Muehle put the ball past the try line. With the conversion, the Utes were on top for the first time in the contest with a 22-20 lead with 3 minutes left. Because Utah scored, the Utes received the ball back and kept possession. Cal charged hard to get the ball back. The clock continued to wind down and it looked as though Utah had secured its first victory over the Cal Bears.
As the clock ran out, the whistle blew. What was thought to be the end of the contest was actually a penalty called against the Utes. This gave Cal an opportunity for a 40-meter kick for the win. Cal converted the penalty with time expired, and the Utes fell to the Cal bears 23-22. In an unfortunate turn of events, the Utes suffered a heartbreaking loss.
The Utes begin league play this weekend at home at McCarthy Field against Colorado State University. For more details go to www.utahrugby.org.
