Max Schumacher

After 80 minutes of intense fighting in Houston, Cal rugby dropped the national championship to Navy, 28-22.

Even though they sometimes flirted with an unceremonious end to the season, especially during the loss-filled month of March, the Bears’ mental strength is one of the greatest foundations that the program can count on to win the title Saturday.

Cal took the lead at the 59-minute mark when Kealan O’Connell surprised the Saint Mary’s defense and crossed the whitewash. The lead change would be the first and the last of the game.

There is no better game than a quarterfinal to take down your best enemies and open the way to the championship.

Nothing is more fitting than to say that Saturday’s game will determine if Cal has the capacity to navigate the road to the national championship.

A large crowd – including the Cal band – packed Witter Rugby Field’s stands to see the Bears defeat the reigning D1A champions in Army.

Now, Cal’s gears are switched to its game against Army, which holds a 7-2 record but has not lost since a matchup against Lindenwood in November. The Black Knights will be keen to end Cal’s invincible season.

To a crowd full of supporters for Parents Weekend, Cal began to pull away at the end of the first half to blow out the Bruins.

Nine months after their last game in Strawberry Canyon, the Blue and Golds are looking to confirm their impressive Dennis Storer Classic win as they face the Santa Clara Broncos on Jan. 21 at Witter Rugby Field.

No. 1 Cal crushed No. 7 Central Washington 48-19 Friday evening in a match that never felt particularly competitive, remaining undefeated this season.