Bears Win National Championship

INDIANAPOLIS - The California rugby team won their second straight national championship Saturday defeating the United States Naval Academy 36-22 at Kuntz Stadium. Five different players scored six tries in the victory. This is the Bears 30th XVs championship title and 35th overall, including its five sevens titles. The championship is Golden Bears' head coach Jack Clark's milestone 31st national title, 26 of which are in 15-a-side competition.

"Our best wishes to Navy, they're tough men and good players," head coach Jack Clark said. "I hope this doesn't sound arrogant, but I had great trust in our team today. I believed we would play for each other and expand into the moment. I was a little worried that I wasn't my normal worried self."

The Bears opened the scoring in the first minute as a Navy turnover was picked up by sophomore Oliver Teague. Teague broke three tackles en route to the try line, walking in untouched for Cal's first score of the game.

Navy answered back in the 12th minute as flyhalf Michael Strehle found Jake Cornelius who punched it across the try line to even the score.

The Bears forced a Navy penalty inside the Midshipmen five meter line, winning back possession in the 21st minute. Senior Solomon Williams passed the ball wide to Masi Koi, who sprinted ahead of the Navy defense, breaking two tackles to cross midfield. The Bears forced another Navy penalty, kicking the ball inside the 22 for a lineout. Finley received the lineout, giving the ball back to Cade Crist, who mauled forward for the Cal try, giving them back the lead 12-5.

Cal extended their lead in the 26th minute as a strong run from Rand Santos set up Cal inside the 22. A high tackle penalty on Navy sent John Mansino off with a yellow card. Cal took advantage of the penalty, as sophomore Seamus Deely punched in a try. Sophomore Filip Edstrom made the conversion, putting Cal up 19-5.

Cal earned an attacking scrum in the 35th minute. Teague found Williams who flipped a pass to Koi. Koi used his speed, sprinting through the defense and side stepping a Navy defender all the way to the try line, extending the Cal lead to 26-5 heading into the halftime break after Edstrom banked in the conversion attempt off the post.

A high tackle by Cal set up a Navy penalty kick in the 45th minute as Roanin Krieger converted, cutting the lead to 26-8.

In the 48th minute, the Bears struck again as Santos found Oliver Newall. Newall passed the ball behind his back to Threlkeld, who found junior Nate Comiskey. Comiskey ran through the try line for his team leading 22nd try of the season to put Cal up 31-8.

In the 51st minute, the referee went to his pocket, giving Newall a yellow card, putting Cal down one man. 10 minutes later, Crist was given a yellow card, putting Cal down two men, and Navy took advantage of the numbers as substitute Tanner Call punched in a try to cut the Cal lead to 31-15. Another try from Navy in the 68th minute cut the Cal lead to 31-22 with 12 minutes left.

The Bears held onto possession late, forcing multiple Navy turnovers, and Comiskey scored his second try of the game with one minute left, sealing the victory.

"First off, all the respect to Navy," captain Rand Santos said. "They are a super tough team, they were tenacious, they played the full 80 minutes. It's always a tough matchup to go against Navy, and I'm super proud of the boys for what we accomplished."

"I'm speechless," vice captain Solomon Williams remarked. "This feeling, this group, this journey, the support system we have, all the family, friends, alumni, I mean everyone has supported us throughout this journey, and we can't thank all those people enough. Coach Clark and Coach Billups are absolute legends and to have them leading us in the front it's a blessing. This whole season has been special, we have an extremely talented group and it's hard to put into words how much this means."

Cal finishes the season with an undefeated record for the first time since the 2010-2011 season at 17-0.

"A perfect season is what we set out for back in August," vice captain Cade Crist said. "To accomplish that means the world. For the seniors that have been here for four years and worked their butt off, it's a great way to cap off our college careers."

Scoring Timeline:

Cal vs. Navy

1:00 – Oliver Teague, 5, Filip Edstrom, 2

12:00 – Jake Cornelius, 5 (Navy)

21:00 – Cade Crist, 5

26:00 – Seamus Deely, 5, Filip Edstrom, 2

34:00 – Masi Koi, 5, Filip Edstrom, 2

Half: Cal, 26, Navy, 5

44:00 – Roanin Krieger, 3

48:00 – Nate Comiskey, 5

61:00 – Tanner Call, 5, Roanin Krieger, 2 (Navy)

68:00 – Andrew Baublitz, 5, Ronin Krieger, 2 (Navy)

79:00 – Nate Comiskey, 5

Final: Cal, 36, Navy, 22

Starting XV:

1. Oliver Kirk 2. Alex Vieira 3. Cade Crist 4. Byron Finley (Talae Tuimaunei 68') 5. Seamus Deely 6. Brice Muller 7. Ryan Wenstrom (Elliott Lewis 79') 8. Oliver Teague 9. Solomon Williams 10. Rand Santos 11. Masi Koi 12. Filip Edstrom 13. Max Threlkeld 14. Nate Comiskey 15. Oliver Newall