MORAGA, Calif. — A late try by winger Sam Cusano took the Golden Bears past the Gaels, 28-24, Saturday in the West Region national semifinal at Saint Mary's Stadium.
 
California (18-1) scored four tries to SMC's three and led the Gaels (18-2) from the 21st minute, after a try from sophomore Jack Manzo and conversion from Sam Walsh (4-for-4), until the 77th minute, when Gaels scrumhalf Sean Yacoubian converted his own try for a 24-21 Saint Mary's advantage.
 
In the final sequence, Cusano took a pass from center Christian Dyer, beat SMC's Jonathan Hackett and Chase Jones around the outside, took it to the middle and dotted down to regain the lead. Walsh, who also scored a try for 13 points on the day, added the conversion as the final whistle sounded.
 
Sophomore Sam Golla also collected a try for the Bears Saturday in his first start at No. 8, while three other frosh-sophs — lock Max Murphy, scrumhalf Henry Poon and wing Marcus Shankland — started for the Blue and Gold in the semifinal.
 
"It was always a match that was going to be won or lost by a little," said Bears head coach Jack Clark. "Credit to Saint Mary's, they are a very good side. We are pleased to have another opportunity."
 
Cal faces Life University in the May 4 national collegiate championship final in Stevens Stadium at Santa Clara University. The Running Eagles beat Lindenwood, 27-19, in the Saturday's East Region national semifinal in Marietta, Ga.
 
The Scoring Timeline vs. Saint Mary's
 
04:00 SMC (Sean Yacoubian) 3
 
21:00 Jack Manzo 5, Sam Walsh 2
 
27:00 Sam Golla 5, Sam Walsh 2
 
38:00 SMC (Tavite Lopeti 5, Sean Yacouban) 2
 
40:00 Sam Walsh 5, 2
 
Halftime Score: California 21, Saint Mary's 10
 
58:00 SMC (Ronan Murphy) 5, (Sean Yacoubian)
 
77:00 SMC (Yacoubian) 5, 2
 
80:00 Sam Cusano 5, Sam Walsh 2
 
Final Score: California 28, Saint Mary's 24
 
The Team vs. Saint Mary's
 
15. Lockyear, 14. Cusano, 13. Dyer (A. Roeske @ 66:00), 12. Andrade (Dyer @ 66:00), 11. Shankland, 10. Walsh, 9. Poon (Kurihara @ 72:00), 1. Iscaro, 2. Manzo, 3. Wiley, 4. Murphy (Golla @ 32:00), 5. Bader (Casey @ 10:00, Bader @ 18:00), 6. Spradling (Holland @ 60:00), 7. Mirhashem, 8. Golla (Casey @ 32:00)