Anthem RC Loses to Houston SaberCats on Late Kick, 45-46

CHARLOTTE, NC (March 22, 2025) – An 80th minute penalty kick from Houston SaberCats’ David Coetzer ripped away a first Anthem RC victory on Saturday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium, sending the visitors back to Texas with a 45-46 win.

Houston started the scoring early, scoring in the 4th minute, but Anthem RC had an answer as Makeen Alikhan dotted it down in the 10th minute and Mitch Wilson drilled the kick to give Anthem a 7-5 lead. 

Major penalties were part of the story in the first half as three yellow cards were given. The first was given to Anthem’s Joe Apikotoa in the 15th minute. The SaberCats found the try zone twice up a man and led 19-7 once Apikotoa returned from the sin bin.

Anthem’s Junior Gafa joined in on the yellow card party shortly after, but Houston responded with a yellow of their own, resulting in 14-on-14 rugby for nearly 10 minutes.

In the 32nd minute, Anthem captain Sam Golla rose high for a line out and shortly after, scored to cut the lead to 5. Both teams exchanged tries before the break as Apikotoa scored in first half extra time. Anthem trailed 19-24 going to the half.

Anthem RC came out for the second half inspired. Anthem’s Cliven Loubser kicked it over the Houston line to himself and set up Jason Tidwell for a highlight-reel try in the 42nd minute. Six minutes later, Gafa scored one of his own and suddenly, the home team was up 9 with Wilson nailing both conversions.

Houston answered with two tries to retake the lead before Anthem’s Mateo Gadsden scored his first try of the season to fire back up the 1,572 Anthem supporters in attendance.

Houston’s Juan-Dee Oliver scored to give the SaberCats a 43-38 lead in the 68th minute, but once again like the last two games, Anthem had an answer. Jake Turnbull churned the legs over the try line and Wilson drilled the kick in the 78th minute to send Anthem two minutes from franchise history.

However, a penalty from Anthem in the 80th minute set up Houston with one final play. Coetzer lined up the penalty kick and knocked it through the posts in heartbreaking fashion for the home side.

QUOTES:

Coach Alama Ieremia on his team’s continuing improvement:

“I hope people can actually see that we are getting better. I think for me, the biggest goal is I want people to see this group of American players are competing with international players who have a lot more experience. It’s another chance to learn how to close games out and it’s a harsh lesson because it is three in a row now, but we are chipping away.”

Captain Sam Golla on the final stretch of the game:

“It’s obviously devastating, but it was our own mistake in the end that lost us the game. It wasn’t them being better than us. It is a lot of self-reflection, driving the standard of being better and nailing our detail.”

Alex Maughan on the crowd support:

“The crowd was amazing. That’s what kept us in the game, especially in our low points. Big hats off to the fans. They keep coming out every home game and honestly, we can’t keep these games close without them.”