BERKELEY – California rugby struck early against Army to take a lead the Golden Bears would never relinquish en route to capturing a 24-19 victory on Homecoming in Berkeley. The Bears scored four tries by as many players in front of a packed Witter Rugby Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
"We appreciate Army visiting us and we will look forward to returning the fixture at West Point next spring," Cal head coach Jack Clark said.
 
Cal lit up the scoreboard first in the contest when junior hooker Cade Crist spotted a gap in the Army defense and dotted down a try just eight minutes into play. Junior flyhalf Rand Santos added the extras to give the Bears an early lead.
 
Four minutes later, the Bears capitalized off their strong set piece to collect another try, this time in the hands of freshman winger Masi Koi. An attacking lineout set up a couple of phases before Cal's backline swung it out to Koi in the left corner to touch down the score in the 12th minute.
 
Army took possession and worked its way into Bear territory, pick-and-jamming on the goal-line numerous times before Cal's forwards managed to hold the Black Knights up on the try-line and take back the ball. It was a back-and-forth affair until minute 26 when Army pushed in its first converted try of the day.
 
After the restart, a perfectly placed 50-22 from Santos put the Bears back into scoring position. Cal won its attacking lineout and sent the forwards to work on the goal-line, eventually seeing senior lock Tom Dixon muscle his way in for a try. Santos converted and it was 17-7 in favor of the Bears.
 
Army threatened to score once more as the first half expired, but Cal's defense took up the space on the try-line and held the Black Knights up to deny them another try at minute 38. The Bears took the 10-point advantage into the intermission.
 
After the break, Army was quick to put points on the board, scoring a try at the 45th minute, but failing to add the extras. Cal answered, this time with its backline on the attack. Senior center Mack Fell ran a good line just a few meters out from the tryzone and carried in a score between the posts at the 54th minute and Santos converted to extend Cal's lead.
 
Thirteen minutes passed before Army managed another converted try to get back within one score of the Bears. Cal's defense stayed on it and held up Army a third time on the goal-line at the 77th minute to give the Bears' offense the ball back. A penalty kick was awarded to Cal with only one minute left of play and Santos' attempt was just shy of the posts, but the Bears were still able to outlast the Black Knights in the final seconds and clinch the win.
 
In the reserve-grade contest that followed, Cal defeated Army, 45-12.
 
Cal will close out its regular season next Saturday with a contest against Saint Mary's. The Bears and the Gaels are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. PT at Witter Rugby Field, with a reserve-grade contest set to follow immediately after. Tickets for the match can be purchased in advance here.
 
Scoring Timeline:
Cal vs. Army
8:00 – Cade Crist 5, Rand Santos 2
12:00 – Masi Koi 5
26:00 – Army 5, Army 2
29:00 – Tom Dixon 5
Half: Cal 17, Army 7
45:00 – Army 5
54:00 – Mack Fell 5, Rand Santos 2
67:00 – Army 5, Army 2
Final: Cal 24, Army 19
 
Starting XV:
1. Oliver Kirk 2. Cade Crist 3. Charlie Walsh 4. Hugo Schreuder 5. Tom Dixon 6. Dom Paga 7. Jon Puckett 8. Ieremia Ieremia 9. Solomon Williams 10. Rand Santos 11. Masi Koi 12. Mack Fell 13. Max Threlkeld 14. Joe Kirsten 15. Emmett Cook
 
Substitutions:
Bryan Bogne (67:00), Oliver Teague (67:00), Seamus Deely (75:00)
 
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