In a thrilling match-up, the California rugby team faced off against Saint Mary’s in the D1A National Collegiate Championship quarterfinal round, ultimately falling short with a final score of 34-16.
Despite an impressive start with the run of play in the first 10 minutes, Cal was unable to maintain their momentum as Saint Mary’s scored the first try of the match. However, the Bears quickly responded with a penalty kick to narrow the gap to 5-3. Saint Mary’s extended their lead with a penalty kick of their own before capitalizing on a Cal fumble to score another try just before halftime, putting the Gaels ahead 20-6.
In the second half, Saint Mary’s continued their dominance by scoring early on, but Cal fought back with two crucial tries. Sophomore Brian Haggerty and senior Sam Cusano stepped up to score for the Bears, showing determination and skill. However, despite their efforts, Cal was ultimately unable to overcome the deficit and secure a victory.
Cal head coach Jack Clark praised Saint Mary’s on their well-deserved win, also commending his team for their hard work and dedication throughout the match. The loss marks the end of Cal’s XV’s season, finishing with an overall record of 11-4.
Fans of Cal rugby can stay updated on the team’s games and news by following them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for complete coverage. While the season may have ended on a tough note, the Bears are sure to come back stronger and more determined in the future.
