Cal Sweeps in Columbus

Written by RUGBYMag.com News Release Friday, 14 September 2012 22:24

Sevens - Collegiate Sevens

COLUMBUS, Ohio - California kicked off its 2012 fall 7s season with three wins Friday night at the Buckeye 7s Invitational, beating Notre Dame, Navy and Ohio State by a combined score of 68-15 at Beekman Park.

Notre Dame gets ready. Nancy Trent photo.

Cal on their way against Notre Dame. Nancy Trent photo.

Cal against OSU under the lights. Nancy Trent photo.

Ten different Golden Bears contributed to the team's 12 tries over the course of three matches. Jake Anderson and Andre Coquillard each accounted for a pair.

Cal's sweep sets up a Saturday final at 9:30 a.m. ET at Lincoln Tower Park between the Bears and Midshipmen, who finished Friday at 1-2 like the Fighting Irish and Buckeyes but advanced to the final with a better scoring differential.

Freshman Russell Webb notched the first try and conversion of the fall 7s season with his fifth-minute score against Notre Dame and the Bears never trailed in a 24-5 victory over the Irish.

Anderson finished an impressive sequence with a try for the Bears to start the match against Navy, Seamus Kelly ran in a 50-meter try at the half after the Middies tied the contest and the Bears outscored Navy 14-0 in the second stanza to win, 29-5.

Against Ohio State, Coquillard scored his two tries in succession and freshman Patrick Barrientes started his Cal career with a try to end the scoring against the Buckeyes in a 15-5 victory.

Meanwhile the rest of the field struggled to put together three strong games. The closest match was Ohio State v. Notre Dame, where the Fighting Irish led early, saw the Buckeyes tie them, and then took a 10-5 lead. But some slick handling by Ohio State and a lot of speed gave them the winning score.

Notre Dame looked impressive with the ball in hand at times, and their one try against Navy was superb. The Midshipmen had plenty of good scoring opportunities against the Irish, but really could link up the passes at the right time. Notre Dame's defense was solid, too.

In the end, California looked a little vulnerable, as they gave up tries in each game, but none of the other three teams, who all ended at 1-2, looked like they could put together the strong 14 minutes required to overcome the Bears.

Friday Results

California 24, Notre Dame 5
Navy 31, Ohio State 0
Ohio State 12, Notre Dame 10
California 29, Navy 5
Notre Dame 7, Navy 0
California 15, Ohio State 5

Saturday Matchups at Lincoln Tower Park

Notre Dame vs. Ohio State, 9 a.m. ET

California vs. Navy, 9:30 a.m. ET

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