Tukwila, WA – The Seattle Seawolves fell to the visiting Nola Gold on a late defensive stop by the Gold on the try line. Late into the match, down 24-25, Seattle was churning ahead looking for a try. Nola held on late to escape Tukwila with their first victory of the year. The Seawolves had troubles with turnovers once again and failed to get their offensive attack going until it was too little too late.
Rhyno Herbst reaches for the ball
Nola came out of the gate ready to bring the fight to Seattle, scoring three penalty kicks in 12 minutes. Giving up those penalties and falling behind without being able to answer proved crucial down the stretch. Both teams seemingly traded kicks after that, but the Gold began to pull away as our halftime score was 6-15. The Seawolves had their moments throughout the opening half, they just could not string together a possession to result in a try. Turnovers doomed several possessions.
Seattle had issues stringing possessions together
After another penalty kick by AJ Alatimu four minutes into the second half, the contest saw its first try as team captain Riekert Hattingh rumbled from near midfield off the scrum to score. Alatimu slotted the conversion through to give Seattle the one-point lead. Three minutes later, Alatimu added his fourth penalty kick of the night to extend the lead to four. Nola marched right back down with their first try of the match, and the Seawolves responded emphatically with a perfect kick out to Ross Neal down field. The conversion kick went wide left, leaving Seattle with a two-point lead. The Seawolves got bad news in two ways, as AJ Alatimu went out with an apparent injury in the 74th minute, and in the 77th Nola converted a penalty kick. Seattle marched down immediately and was on the doorstep of a try, but Nola held strong and clinched victory.
Riekert Hattingh rumbled for a big try to give Seattle the lead
The Seawolves fall to a three win and two loss record on the season, after starting out with three straight wins. While it is still relatively early in the season and Seattle’s point differential is just eleven, the Seawolves have issues that need to be stopped before they snowball. The Seawolves inability to generate creative and consistent offense, as well as their turnover habit. Seattle takes on the Houston SaberCats next game, and only five points separate the teams in the standings.
Several Seawolves were visibly upset following the loss
Credit to Melissa Levin and Emma Ottosen for the photos! Thank you Emma and Melissa!
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