California Golden Bears Athletics

BERKELEY – The Golden Bears ran in nine tries and kept the Wildcats out of the try zone until late in Saturday's PAC Rugby Conference clash on Witter Rugby Field as California's First XV defeated Arizona, 55-13. In the reserve-grade contest, the Rugby Bears defeated the 'Cats by the score of 75-0.
 
The Bears (14-1 4-0 PAC) had seven different try scorers on Saturday, with two apiece from wingers Sam Cusano and Marcus Shankland, while Cal kickers added 10 points off conversions (Elliot Webb 5-for-8, Sam Walsh 0-for-1).
 
"In the second half especially, we were able to focus on our pattern and let things flow," said captain Nic Mirhashem.
 
Arizona center Luke Bartzis scored a try in the 74th minute, which flyhalf Robert Figley converted along with two penalty kicks (2-for-2) as the Wildcats fell to 5-2 (2-1 PAC).
 
"Awfully slow first half. The ball wasn't in play much and we weren't that good with the possession we had," said Cal head coach Jack Clark. "Things improved in the second half, even though we played 13 on 15 for the last 10 minutes of the match, which made for some ragged play. Best to the Wildcats going forward."
 
Next up, Cal hosts Saint Mary's College on Saturday, March 30, at 12 p.m. PT in the final match of the regular season.
 
The Golden Bears will host two rounds of the national collegiate postseason, starting with the Round of 16 on Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m. against an opponent to be determined. Witter Rugby Field will also be a national quarterfinal location for two matches the following weekend on Saturday, April 20.
 
The Scoring Timeline vs. Arizona
 
05:00 Sam Cusano 5
 
09:00 Arizona (Robert Figley) 3
 
29:00 Arizona (Robert Figley) 3
 
31:00 Sam Cusano 5
 
Halftime: California 15, Arizona 6
 
41:00 Nic Mirhashem 5, Elliot Webb 2
 
45:00 Marcus Shankland 5, Elliot Webb 2
 
48:00 Cormac Heaney 5, Elliot Webb 2
 
50:00 Troy Lockyear 5, Elliot Webb 2
 
53:00 Marcus Shankland 5, Elliot Webb 2
 
59:00 Sid Holland 5
 
74:00 Arizona (Luke Bartzis) 5, (Robert Figley) 2
 
Final Score: California 55, Arizona 13
 
The Team vs. Arizona
 
15. Lockyear (Walsh @ 18:00, Lockyear @ 27:00, Walsh @ 55:00), 14. Cusano (Damron @ 55:00), 13. Dyer, 12. Andrade (Saunders @ 60:00), 11. Shankland, 10. Webb, 9. Poon, 1. Iscaro, 2. Joyce, 3. Wiley, 4. Murphy (Golla @ 52:00), 5. Bader, 6. Spradling (Holland @ 55:00, Duvall @ 69:00), 7. Mirhashem, 8. Heaney (Casey @ 17:00, Heaney @ 27:00, Zylstra @ 68:00)