Cal Gets Past Arizona To Win PAC Sevens
Cal Gets Past Arizona To Win PAC Sevens
The University of California won their ninth PAC Rugby 7s, defeating Arizona in the final Sunday at Stanford University.
The PAC 7s ran two days, with Pool Play on Day One and the semifinals and finals on Sunday.
Cal rolled through Pool Play fairly convincingly, beating Stanford 58-0, Utah 39-0, and Oregon 38-7. Caleb Tomasin and Joe Kirsten led the Bears with five tries each on the first day. Kealan O'Connell kicked seven conversions to go along with his lone try.
Arizona meanwhile, got through their pool play but not smoothly. After beating Oregon State 38-14 the Wildcats were held to a 22-22 tie by Southern California. But the young Arizona side rebounded to win the key game at the end of the day, holding off UCLA 19-12.
That mean that Cal would play UCLA in the semis, and there O'Connell scored within the first minute and Alex Brundage added another soon thereafter. Luke Freeman's try made it a 15-0 lead at the break. O'Connell, Rand Santos, and recent Thunder Rugby standout Solomon Williams rounded out the second-half scoring in a 32-0 shutout of the Bruins.
Arizona defeated Stanford 26-10 in their semi. But the semis had a cost as some players pulled up injured. Captain Maxime Cathala was instrumental in getting the less experienced players on-task and through that semi.
The final was (almost) all Cal. The Bears continued their habit of getting on the scoreboard quickly, with Max Schumacher going over to start the first half and also doing the same near the end of the first half. That made it 12-0 at halftime and just a few seconds into the second period Oliver Newall was over and Cal led 19-0. Arizona answered with a try but Santos and Alex Aguero sealed it 31-5 for Cal.
Arizona Head Coach Sean Duffy was very pleased with a largely underclassmen side, saying Cathala, Jacob Broselle, and Antonio Gonzalez led by example and put in strong performances. Duffy didn't lean on the loss of some starters through the, saying "that happens sometimes in 7s, and Cal is a very good team."
It was a step forward for Arizona, which finished 3rd last year, losing to UCLA. And, added Duffy, the level of play in the tournament is getting deeper."
For Cal, which ran a nice mix of players from all classes, including some rookies, the Bears allowed just two tries in five games, with O'Connell scoring 33 points and being named tournament MVP.
“We appreciate Stanford’s hosting of the event and the competing teams for their contribution,” said Cal Head Coach Jack Clark. “Really proud of our boys for their efforts this weekend and, moreover, the focus and diligence they displayed this entire fall.
