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San Diego earned a convincing 31-29 win over the Utah Warriors at the Dignity Health Track Field on Saturday. It came at a cost, however, as a serious injury to Eagles utility back Dylan Audsley dampened what was an otherwise uplifting performance.
Barely a minute was on the clock when the Legion had their first points on the board. Utah spilled possession and Cecil Afrika snapped up the loose ball, flying through a gap inside his own 22. The fullback connected with Bjorn Basson who carried over halfway before finding Cameron Clark on his shoulder for a run-in under the posts.
The Warriors composed themselves quickly and soon had a reply. A half-break from Joe Mano down the right side created momentum, then the ball went wide left. The defensive cover was there but Siaosi Mahoni was distracted behind the ruck, leaving Mike Te’o just enough space to snipe through for a try against his former team.
A patient build-up soon found San Diego knocking on the door once again. Afrika popped up at first receiver on the short side and he deftly redirected Carlo de Nysschen’s pass on to Ryan Matyas, which caught Michael Baska off guard and left Ryan Matyas open to score in the corner.
Utah came oh-so-close to a try just ahead of the hydration break but Josh Whippy was bundled into touch by Afrika and Matyas at the last moment. They would get their rewards soon after. Tevita Tameilau’s desperation tackle held Mika Kruse just short, but the ball came back to the right and Tyler Fisher’s pick and go from a tackle was too quick for the defense to react.
Two minutes later the Legion responded. A penalty kick to the corner set an attacking lineout. When the maul was stopped Peter Malcolm broke from the back, his arm just long enough to touch the ball down as he reached out from the tackle. At halftime the scoreboard read 19-12 in favor of the home side.
Hagen Schulte connected on one of two long-range penalty attempts early in the second half before the flyhalf produced a moment of brilliance. With Keni Nasoqeqe down and receiving treatment, Schulte picked out a gap between two front rowers and sprinted clear from halfway for a seven-pointer.
Nate Augspurger took to the pitch and quickly made his mark. The Eagles scrumhalf broke free down the right side and had the strength to keep his feet until support arrived. Audsley took the pass and nearly made it himself, offloading to Jasa Veremalua for the try.
As the Legion celebrated Audsley stayed on the deck with his ankle badly dislocated in the tackle. The game paused for several minutes as he was stretchered from the pitch, with San Diego fans left to wonder if this is another early end to Audsley’s campaign.
The decisive score game again from Veremalua, this time driving in from short range after Bjorn Basson had beaten four defenders before being halted inches short. A last-gasp try from Bailey Wilson was an important one, securing both the four-try and losing margin bonus.
Both teams return to action next Saturday evening. The Legion stay in Los Angeles to play the Giltinis at the Coliseum. Utah heads home to play the SaberCats at Zions Bank Stadium.
SCORING
SAN DIEGO 31
Tries – C. Clark (1’), R. Matyas (13’), P. Malcolm (25’), J. Veremalua 2 (67’, 74’)
Cons – No kick (1’), S. González Iglesias 1/2 (14’), C. Afrika 1/2 (75’)
UTAH 29
Tries – M. Te’o (7’), T. Fisher (23’), H. Schulte (57’), B. Wilson (80’)
Cons – H. Schulte 2/3 (24’, 80’), No kick (57’)
Pens – H. Schulte 1/2 (47’)
TEAMS
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Nathan Sylvia (17 Cronan Gleeson 58’), 2 Peter Malcolm (16 Dean Muir 48’), 3 Chris Baumann (18 Aaron Mitchell 58’), 4 Ben Mitchell, 5 Siaosi Mahoni (19 Travis Larsen 56’), 6 Keni Nasoqeqe (20 Jasa Veremalua 58’), 7 Psalm Wooching, 8 Tevita Tameilau (capt.), 9 Carlo de Nysschen (22 Nate Augspurger 56’), 10 Santiago González Iglesias, 11 Bjorn Basson, 12 Dylan Audsley (23 Cole Zarcone 68’), 13 Cameron Clark, 14 Ryan Matyas, 15 Cecil Afrika
Not used: 21 Michael Smith
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg (17 Olive Kilifi 55’), 2 Veremalua Vugakoto (16 Chad Gough 55’), 3 Angus MacLellan (18 Paul Mullen 48’), 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 5 Aston Fortuin, 6 Thomas Tu’avao (19 Mike Gieselman 72’), 7 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 8 Lance Williams (20 Saia Uhila 72’), 9 Michael Baska, 10 Hagen Schulte, 11 Josh Whippy, 12 Tyler Fisher, 13 Mika Kruse (22 Calvin Whiting 56’), 14 Joseph Mano, 15 Mike Te’o
Not used: 21 Fraser Hurst, 23 Derek Ellingson
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jack Gohl (Australia)
Assistants: Austin Reed (USA) & Jacob Gonzalez (USA)
