One week removed from a 77-point explosion against Weber State, the Aggies managed only 12 points as they lost to the Salt Lake City Slugs Saturday, 22-12.

The first half was a close, defensive struggle as play went back and forth for most of the first half with both teams’ defense dominating the field.

Kyra Madsen made a huge defensive play in the first 20 minutes when the Slugs were knocking at the door and appeared to have a scored. The play was called back, and on the second attempt Madsen tackled the ball carrier, saving a potential score.

The only Aggie scores came from loose forward Tabitha “Mo” Morin and scrum half Jessie Trina. Shannon Woolley went 1-for-2 on the day for conversion kicks after converting 6-of-9 last week and scoring 23 points overall.

Prop Tiffany “Tippy” Gourley, who had been out with a leg injury, played strong in her comeback and made her presence known. Gourley played a key role in helping the Ags win as many scrums as they did in the first half.

“It is good to have Tippy’s experience back in the front row,” said USU head coach Dennis Kohler.

The second half played out much as the first half had for the first few minutes. Then the bigger Slug team continued to pound the ball and was able to keep it moving.

“It is an absolute truth of the game of rugby that if a team keeps knocking at the door, eventually they will wear down the defense and score,” Kohler said.

After the Slugs first try, the Aggies let up a little as the Slugs scored two more times with each score meeting less and less resistance. In a game where continuous play is important, the Slugs kept the ball moving and did a good job at avoiding rucks.

Madsen, who stopped a try attempt in the first half, was consistent all day in the tackles category. The Ags couldn’t seem to wrap up the visiting Slugs and were even hesitant and apprehensive to hit on defense.

“The Salt Lake Slugs run hard and as a general rule are a bit harder to bring down,” Kohler said.

Kohler attributed this lack of aggression to a few players playing hurt as well as those who have a history of getting injured.

“No excuse really, just another area where we can show some improvement,” he said.

Up next for the Ags are the Provo Steelers and Kohler said that team is much like the Slugs. The Steelers run hard and outweigh the Ags in every area of the game. The last meeting between the Aggies and Steelers resulted in 22-8 Steelers victory.

Teamwork and speed will be the focal point as the Ags prepare to face the Steelers.

“After the game I spoke with the team leaders, and told them that we really need to ramp things up a bit,” Kohler said.

Amid the challenges, Kohler remains confident that things are coming together for the team.

“It takes a long time for a team to start playing smarter, and when it clicks, we are going to be a very formidable team,” Kohler said. “Until then we just have to take our knocks and keep getting up off the ground.”

– ty.d.hus@aggiemail.usu.edu