Cal defeated the United States Naval Academy 57-15 Saturday in the Varsity Cup semifinals to book the Bears’ third-straight spot in the Varsity Cup final.

Cal improved to 17-1, with a solid performance in their final home game over a tough Navy side.

“It meant a lot to face the challenge posed by Navy,” said co-captain Jake Anderson, one of the graduating seniors who played their last match in Strawberry Canyon. Anderson scored nine points in three conversions and a penalty. “To do it at home, one last time, was very special.”

“We got the job done to earn another shot at the final,” said co-captain Alec Gletzer, another graduating senior whose try in the 43rd minute got Cal going in the second half. “It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t perfect, but Navy deserves credit for that. We have our work cut out for us to be successful against BYU.”

Also among final-year try scorers was replacement fullback Spencer Morris, whose try in the 77th minute closed the scoring in the Bears’ nine-try effort against the Midshipmen. One of the best students on the roster, Morris said he “saw the opportunity was fortunate to be able to take it” when flyhalf Russell Webb put a bouncing chip kick into the try zone that Morris, also among the fittest on the team, won the race to chase down to the delight of his team and fans.

Others graduating Bears enjoying heartfelt sendoffs from the stands full of fans were starting scrumhalf Paul Bosco, starting lock Sione Sina and starting flanker Carl Hendrickson, and replacements Harry Libarle at wing and Travis Moscone at hooker.

“Nothing but respect for Navy, they were very difficult,” said Cal head coach Jack Clark. “It was a good match. They’re a bunch of stud guys.”

The Bears got their nine tries from seven different players, with two apiece recorded by inside center Anthony Salaberand replacement scrumhalf Nicklas Boyer. Webb connected on 1-of-2 drop-kick attempts and Boyer missed his lone conversion (0-for-1).

Navy’s scoring came from a penalty kick by flyhalf Jack McAuliffe (1-of-2) in the first half followed by second-half tries from fullback Justin Manke and outside center Dakota Raymond, the former converted by McAuliffe (1-for-2 conversions).

“Fundamentally sound all the time,” said Navy head coach Mike Flanagan of the Bears. “You’d better not make mistakes, because they will capitalize. Cal schemes for teams better than anyone. If there’s an advantage, it’ll be in their preparation.”

Cal meets BYU, the team that has beaten them in the last two finals. BYU beat Central Washington 35-8 Saturday in Provo.

“Both teams had great defense, but BYU played really well and kept CWU at bay most of the time,” BYU Head Coach David Smyth told BYURugby.com. “Even when our players were hurt they turned in a winning performance. Nothing stands between us now and the final championship game.”

Scrumhalf/flyhalf Jonny Linehan scored the first try of the game, but Central replied with a try at 15 minutes to tie the game. But the Wildcats would not see the tryline again in the match, as Joshua Whippy, Joe Pikula, Ryan Blaser, and Arawa Elkington all ran in tries for BYU.

“Central Washington’s front line was strong,” Linehan told BYURugby.com. “Our forwards and backs communicated really well throughout the match allowing several us Cougars to score. Being able to play at South Field with our loyal crowd helped us big time.”

Fans from both teams filled the South Field, cheering loudly for their respective team. Among the fans were close to 100 past BYU Rugby players who were there as part of the BYU Rugby 50th Anniversary Celebration festivities. They flooded the field during halftime and were honored by current team members and fans alike.

“We want to thank everyone who has contributed to this team’s legacy and made BYU rugby what it is today,” Smyth said. “Whether current team members, past players or fans, we couldn’t do it without you.”

BYU and Cal now look forward to another meeting in their huge rivalry - the two teams have met for a major championship of some sort (DI, DIA, Varsity Cup) every year but one in the last ten seasons. The only time they missed each other was when Cal opted out of DIA and before the Varsity Cup was formed.

In those eight previous finals, Cal has won five times, BYU three.