After a season full of promise and crushing victories, the Sacramento State men?s rugby team was finally dealt a payback of sorts Sunday. And, the timing could not have been any worse. The University of Utah, capitalizing on poor play late, escaped Sacramento with a 45-31 overtime victory, keeping its playoff hopes alive.

The loss eliminated the Hornets from the collegiate rugby tournament, which bares a striking resemblance to the men?s basketball tournament, and allowed the Utes to advance into the round of 16 teams.

“Utah is definitely one of the best teams in the country,” Hornet coach Justin Pritchard said.

At the end of regulation, both teams had their opportunities to win the game but both were unable to capitalize.

The Hornets, who trailed 26-24 with minutes left on the clock, were able to convert a try and the extra kick to take a five-point lead, 31-26.

Sacramento?s lead, however, would be short-lived The Utes answered back with a score of their own, knotting the game at 31. Utah would miss the ensuing extra point attempt, sending the game into overtime.

Utah missed five extra point attempts during the contest, keeping Hornet hopes afloat.

“We showed a lot of heart coming back from a deficit,” Prichard said.

The overtime session belonged to the Utes, seizing control during the periods opening possession. Utah took a seven-point lead, 38-31, notching both a try and an extra point.

The Utes would light up the scoreboard one last time, taking advantage of poor tackling by the Hornet defense.

Prichard said that he wasn?t disappointed with his teams tackling at the end of the game it was at the beginning of it that he was disappointed.

The Hornets overtime possessions were fumbled by a variety of turnovers, which limited their ability to keep pace with the streaking Utes and kept them off the scoreboard.

“We made some errors and mistakes,” Prichard said. “They were the better team today.

On Saturday, the Hornets dominated Central Washington University winning 65-7.

It didn?t take long for the Hornets to take control of the game as they jumped out to an early 15-0 lead only six minutes into the game. At the half, the Hornets had a commanding 32-7 lead and were able to rest their starters while playing many of the reserves.

“I thought we did everything well,” Prichard said of Saturday?s game. “We played the way I hoped we would play (on Sunday).”

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