HERRIMAN, Utah – The Utah Warriors saw their 2025 season come to an unceremonious end at the hands of the Houston Sabercats, falling 33-19 at home.

The Warriors (11-6) hosted their second-ever postseason match, welcoming the Houston Sabercats (11-6) to Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday, June 21.

RELATED: Warriors Prepare To Host Houston Sabercats In MLR Western Conference Final

First Half

Houston sought a fast start, approaching the goal line in the opening moments.

After the first Sabercats surge was stopped at the goal line, Houston went to a scrum that resulted in a five-point try from Andre Warner.

The conversion put Utah in a 7-0 hole less than five minutes into the match.

Houston controlled much of the opening 15 minutes, but couldn’t manage more points against a stout Utah defense.

The Warriors found their footing when Lance Williams broke free for a long try. A missed conversion left Utah trailing 7-5, 19 minutes into the game.

Houston took advantage of a momentary defensive lapse to add a second try in the 31st minute.

A conversion split the uprights, giving the visitors a 14-5 lead.

Utah was threatening late in the half, but a Sabercat defender jumped in front of a pass and sprinted untouched into the try-zone.

The lead ballooned to 16 points after the conversion.

Joe Mano nearly had a try for Utah minutes later, but was leveled at the goal line. A brief review of the hit left Utah in possession about five meters from the line. An extended attack came up empty.

Houston led 21-5 at the break.

Second Half

The home crowd exploded when Lance Williams appeared to score his second try of the match. The cheers died down when the review showed that Williams did not possess the ball when it was touched down.

A penalty allowed the Warriors to keep possession. Seconds later, Houston forced a turnover that zapped Utah’s momentum.

Houston sucked the air out of the home stadium when Drake Davis picked up a loose ball and sprinted in for an easy try. The conversion made the score 28-5.

The Sabercats added a back-breaking try in the 67th minute. Utah trailed 33-5 after a failed conversion.

Paul Lasike rumbled over the goal line minutes later for Utah’s second try. The conversion left Utah trailing 33-12.

Utah added one more try down the stretch to end the night with a 33-19 loss.

Follow Utah Warriors With KSL Sports

Houston advances to face two-time defending champion New England Free Jacks in the Major League Rugby Final on Saturday, June 28, at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Find KSL Sports coverage of the Utah Warriors here.

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Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.