Kunal Dutta

Cal rallied from a 22-7 deficit to take the lead late in the match but ultimately couldn’t surmount the defending champions for the second year in a row.

The teams squared off in the championship last year as well, with the Running Eagles dismantling the younger, less experienced Bears 60-5.

The Bears will not have to travel far for the championship, as the title match is set for Saturday at Stevens Stadium in Santa Clara.

After advancing past the first two rounds at home, the Bears will visit St. Mary’s Stadium this Saturday at noon to face the Gaels for a spot in the national championship.

Cal was able to shake off its troubles, however, scoring five tries before halftime to take a lead it never relinquished.

The winner of this match will advance to the national semifinals April 27, which will be played at Saint Mary’s Stadium in Moraga, California.

Walsh led the way with 46 points coming from two tries and an incredible 18 for 21 in try conversions. Golla also had a game-high four tries.

In the West bracket, Cal has faced and defeated second-seeded Saint Mary’s, fourth-seeded Arizona and sixth-seeded UCLA, along with UC Davis.

A strong performance in the second half, however, led the Bears to a 29-19 victory to cap the regular season and head into the national collegiate postseason with a six-game winning streak.

A big second half on both sides of the ball, however, carried the Bears to a 55-13 victory to clinch an undefeated record in the PAC rugby conference.