MLR NOLA Gold

NOLA Prepares for New England

Published on June 23, 2021 under Major League Rugby (MLR)
NOLA Gold News Release


On a rainy Saturday afternoon at Life University, the NOLA Gold defeated the Toronto Arrows 18-12, keeping the Gold in the heat of the playoff race. With the Gold's win and Rugby United New York's loss to the Utah Warriors earlier on Saturday, NOLA sits in third place in the Eastern Conference, only three points behind Rugby United New York for second place and the final playoff position.

The Gold got out to an early advantage against the Arrows in the 19th minute courtesy of an outstanding try from Julian Dominguez Widmer. After receiving a box kick from Toronto's Ross Braude, Dominguez Widmer broke through three Toronto tackles for an impressive try. Despite being injured on the score, Dominguez Widmer continued playing through the pain and provided vital moments for the Gold throughout the match.

As the rain began to pick up while the first half continued, both teams began to struggle with weather-induced mistakes. A missed conversion by the Gold and an Arrows' missed drop goal left the Gold leading 5-0 midway through the first half. However, in the 27th minute, a mistake by the Gold led to Toronto's Ben LeSage blocking a clearance kick attempt and recovering the ball in the try zone for the Arrows' first try of the match. After the successful conversion by Will Kelly, the Arrows took a 7-5 lead into the halftime break.

With a win needed to maintain their hold on third place in the Eastern Conference, the second half was shaping up to be the most important of the Gold's season thus far. Just as the Gold has done all season, they rose to the occasion. After a lineout by the Gold in the 51st minute, the ball fell to the ground. While the Toronto players attempted to locate the ball, the Gold's Cam Dolan quickly picked it up and burst through the Toronto defense for a critical try. After Holden Yungert's conversion, the Gold regained the lead 12-7.

However, the Arrows were not done fighting. Toronto's Gaston Mieres scooped up a beautiful stab kick by Will Kelly for a Toronto try (64'). After Spencer Jones missed the conversion wide, the match was tied 12-12 at the 65th minute. A crucial penalty by the Arrows led to Damian Stevens scoring a penalty kick in the 74th minute to put the Gold in front 15-12. This time NOLA would not relinquish their advantage. Another penalty by the Arrows set up one final penalty kick for the Gold, which Stevens calmly scored on the match's last play. This kick gave the Gold a crucial 18-12 win over the Arrows.

The Gold continues their six-match road trip next Saturday, June 26th, against the 4th place New England Free Jacks at Union Point Stadium in Weymouth, Massachusetts. The winner of this match will take control of 3rd place in the Eastern Conference. The match will take place at 5 PM CST and will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network.

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Major League Rugby Stories from June 23, 2021


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