WEST POINT, NY – Cal is through to the Varsity Cup semifinals with a come-from-behind win over Army 41-29 Saturday Warrior Field at the Anderson Rugby Complex.

California (17-2) got six tries from five players, Russell Webb notching two tries and a conversion, and Harry Adolphus contributed three conversions (3-for-5) and a penalty kick (1-for-1). The Black Knights (9-5) notched five tries from five players, with Andrew Borer adding two penalties (2-for-5) for the home side.

Cal will host its the Varsity Cup semifinal against Central Washington at on Witter Rugby Field Saturday, April 23, at 1 p.m. Central Washington defeated Utah 58-5 Saturday in Salt Lake City.

It was a very challenging afternoon for the Bears, who surrendered four first-half tries to the Knights before clawing their way back to within one point at the break on Webb’s two tries and another from Nic Mirhashem.

The Black Knights found a way to pound the ball over the line in the seventh minute as Andrew Irwin dotted down for the opening score. Senior Andrew Borer added the conversion to make the score 7-0. A four-minute goal-line stand by the Black Knights kept Cal scoreless, but eventually the Bears did break through - Russell Webb powered his way in to touch down, and Adolphus slotted the conversion to knot the game. 

Over a 10-minute span between the 23rd and 33rd minutes, Army would capitalize on its offensive opportunities after getting deep in Cal’s zone. Joseph Dlugosch found his way over the tryline to break the tie, and then Andrew Yoon was in support of long run fro Jake Lackina. Finally, Mitchell Sanderson went over, and the Cadets led 22-7.

Cal finally got some momentum back when Nic Mirhashem went over, and that would begin a torrid run over scoring from the Bears. Russell Webb added his second right before halftime.

Cal went ahead for the first time in the match early in the second half when Adolphus touched down and converted for a 28-22 Cal lead. Nine minutes later the Knights snatched back the lead when Borer converted his own try to bring West Point in front, 29-28. But another nine minutes later, replacement forward Connor Sweet bulled his way into the try zone to give Cal a 33-29 advantage.

It remained a dogfight to the end. The Bears had to make a defensive stand for a prolonged period, before finally getting a late cushion with a try from Anthony Salaber, and a penalty from Adolphus to finish it off 41-29.

“I was really proud of our effort today,” said Army Head Coach Matt Sherman. “I think we had a good performance from the standpoint of our energy, how we ran the field and our physicality. Equally as such, I was so proud of how composed we were. This year. We’ve let our emotions get the best of us at times, but I thought today we had a really nice balance. This performance is one that I’m as proud of as I’ve ever been as a coach. 

"This is the closest group I’ve ever been around,” Sherman added. “They care for each other and push each other and are really a true brotherhood. They make each other better, and they make me better as well.”

“Our error count was just too high, and give Army credit for some of that through their pressure and physicality,” said Cal Head Coach Jack Clark. “We watched them play in the first half, then played a bit ourselves in the second half. All in all, it was a special day of rugby.”

“Nothing but the utmost respect for those guys and the Academy,” said Cal matchday captain Scott Walsh. “They gave us a really physical game and going forward in the postseason, that’s something we need to respond to.”

“You knew they were never going to back down at home, on a field they consider sacred, and rightly so,” added Webb. “We’re going to remember this as one of the most special places we’re ever played.”

Army's 15s season ends with a little bit of a what might have been feeling. The Black Knights were close to winning the Rugby East, but faltered late. They produced some good results over Navy and Utah, and led into the second half against Cal, but couldn't quite finish it off against an outstanding opponent.

Cal 41
Tries: Webb 2, Adolphus, Mirashem, Sweet, A. Salaber 
Convs: Adolphus 3, Webb
Pens: Adolphus

Army 29
Tries: Irwin, Dlugosch, Yoon, Sanderson, Borer
Convs: Borer 2