MORAGA, Calif. – The Golden Bears and Gaels both scored two tries and it was a four-point match at minute 53, but California could not overcome miscues against SMC and was defeated, 21-12, Saturday in Saint Mary's Stadium.
 
A try in the 14th minute by Justin Dunn gave the Bears a 5-3 lead, followed in the second half by a try from Keanu Andrade to pull Cal to within an unconverted try at 16-12. Saint Mary's got three penalty kicks from Scottish transfer scrumhalf Sean Yacoubian and the Blue and Gold had to navigate double-digit turnovers as they threatened to come back before a try by SMC winger Tom Brusati in the 78th minute put an end to the Bears' efforts.
 
"Saint Mary's is far too good of a team to give them 20 turnovers," head coach Jack Clark said of Cal's miscues, many of which stymied the Bears close to SMC's try line. "In truth, our turnovers aren't just an issue today. Skill breakdowns have been an issue most of the season for us. Today, they resulted in us being second best."
 
"There were a lot of handling issues compounded by the fact we were up against a good opponent," said captain and No. 8 Thomas Robles.
 
With the regular season completed, Cal (19-2, 6-0) enters the national collegiate postseason with an automatic qualifying bid as PAC Rugby Conference champions. The Bears will host an opponent to be determined in Round One on Saturday, April 14, at 2 p.m.
 
The Gaels (18-0, 4-0 Calif.) also have an automatic postseason berth as California Conference champs and will host a Round One opponent on the same day.
 
If Cal is successful in its Round One matchup April 14, the Bears could host again for the national quarterfinals on April 21. The national championship takes place May 5 in Stevens Stadium in Santa Clara.
 
The Scoring Timeline vs. Saint Mary's
 
6:00 Saint Mary's (Sean Yacoubian) 3
 
14:00 Justin Dunn 5
 
17:00 Saint Mary's (Sean Yacoubian) 3
 
36:00 Saint Mary's (Tavite Lopeti) 5, (Sean Yacoubian) 2
 
Halftime Score: Saint Mary's 13, California 5
 
46:00 Saint Mary's (Sean Yacoubian) 3
 
53:00 Keanu Andrade 5, Troy Lockyear 2
 
78:00 Saint Mary's (Tom Brusati) 5
 
Final Score: Saint Mary's 21, California 12
 
The Team vs. Saint Mary's
 
15. Flynn, 14. Cusano, 13. Purdey, 12. Dyer (Roeske @ 28:00), 11. Dunn, 10. Lockyear, 9. Andrade (Kurihara @ 70:00), 1. Sullivan, 2. Iscaro, 3. Wiley (Baylor @ 66:00), 4. Casey, 5. Bader, 6. Spradling (Holland @ 74:00), 7. Mirhashem, 8. Robles