By Aaron Wilson
Johan Momsen succinctly underscored the emotional chord for the Houston Sabercats when they lost just their second match of the season.
“We’ll start a new streak,” said Momsen, a team captain, following a 24-22 loss to Rugby FC Los Angeles.
Now, the 5-2 SaberCats get back to work Saturday night on the road against the Miami Sharks.
In first place by one point over the San Diego Legion in the Western Conference division, the SaberCats are focused on improving their consistency.
After five victories in a row, a missed conversion by A.J. Alatimu sailed wide of the uprights that would have tied the score against Los Angeles.
The SaberCats are a high-scoring squad that leads Major League Rugby with 230 points, led by Davy Coetzer ranking second in the league in points.
A year ago, the SaberCats defeated the Sharks, 30-19, as Jeremy Misailegalu, Andre Warner and Keni Nasoqeqe all notched tries.
This season, the Sharks have the fewest kicking errors in the league.
They’re led by Shane O’Leary, the only player to score last week for Miami on a pair of penalty kicks to go with five carries and three tackles in a loss.
Warner had six kicks, eight tackles and four carries for the SaberCats against Los Angeles.
Coetzer is looking for more from himself and his teammates going forward.
“I think we are a physical team, but we were way too soft at times,” Coetzer said. “We let them have too many easy meters. It’s disappointing. Still a lot to work on. This team always bounces back really well. We’ll take the lessons from this game.
“I don’t think we need to focus on winning as much as we need to focus on the process. We need to stick to the process and improve as a team and winning will take care of itself.”
For the SaberCats to upgrade their overall game, it’s going to take the consistency they displayed against the Legion in a big victory earlier this month as they handed them their first loss of the season.
“We’ll improve,” Momsen said. “The challenge for us is we can’t have off-days. If you’re going to be a championship team, you can’t have off-days.”
Added Pita Anae-Ah Sue: “We didn’t play to our potential. We need to stick to our process.”
