BERKELEY – California plays Saint Mary's College in the national collegiate semifinals Saturday at 12 p.m. PT in Saint Mary's Stadium. The match is televised on CBS Sports Network.
 
The Golden Bears (17-1) take on the Gaels (18-1) for the second time in five weeks, having beaten SMC, 29-19, March 30 on Witter Rugby Field to end the regular season.
 
Cal makes the trip to Moraga for Saturday's semifinal following the Bears' 61-16 quarterfinal victory over Arizona on April 20. Cal began its national 15s postseason with a 21-try win against UC Davis in the Round of 16 on April 13.
 
Saint Mary's defeated Brigham Young, 71-12, in their quarterfinal, which followed the Gaels' 74-12 win over GCU in the Round of16.
 
The last time Cal and SMC met in the postseason was 2008 at national semifinals in Stanford, where the Bears beat SMC, 41-31, to advance to the championship.
 
Cal will likely make six or more lineup changes for Saturday's semifinal compared the XV who started in the quarterfinal against the Wildcats. Senior loosehead prop Jack Iscaro and sophomore hooker Jack Manzo return to the front row, joining junior tighthead prop Damon Wiley. In the second row, where the Bears have selected from strength this spring, freshman Max Murphy is anticipated to pair with junior Sebastian Bader, who returns. The back row will be anchored by senior captain Nic Mirhashem at one flanker, but is thereafter uncertain, with sophomore Sam Golla pushing for a start following his outstanding play in a reserve role.
 
In the backline for the Bears, freshman halfback Henry Poon or junior Ken Kurihara will service freshman Sam Walsh or senior Elliot Webb at flyhalf. Center selections are among juniors Keanu Andrade and Christian Dyer, and sophomore Adam Roeske. Junior Sam Cusano looks certain at right wing, while sophomore Marcus Shankland is expected to return on the left wing. Senior Troy Lockyear is projected at fullback.

The winner of Saturday's West Region national semifinal advances to the May 4 national collegiate championship final at Stevens Stadium in Santa Clara to face the winner of Saturday's second semifinal from the East Region between Lindenwood and Life University, kicking off from Marietta, Ga., at 2:30 p.m. PT. The Running Eagles gained their semifinal slot with a 40-25 win over Navy, while the Lions edged Arkansas State, 22-18, to advance out of their quarterfinals held in Annapolis, Md.
 
Tickets to Saturday's West Region national semifinal at Saint Mary's Stadium, available in advance online, are $20 for adults, $15 for groups 10+, $5 for youth 12 and over, and free for children under 12.