INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The second-ranked Navy men's rugby team (11-2) fell to top-ranked California (17-0) 36-22 in the Collegiate Rugby Association of America (CRAA) Division I-A National Championship game on Saturday evening at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
 
The Golden Bears secured their second-consecutive national championship by capitalizing on early Navy turnovers to build an insurmountable first-half lead and withstand a resilient second-half push by the Midshipmen.
 
"A big takeaway for me would the sheer disappointment that our seniors didn't get to experience the ultimate high before they leave and go into the fleet," said director of rugby Gavin Hickie. "The ultimate goal wasn't achieved, which is winning the national championship, but we did our best and we hope that we made our family, friends and the Naval Academy proud."
 
California struck first when Oliver Teague recovered a loose ball for a try in the second-minute following a Navy turnover. Filip Edstrom's conversion made it 7-0.
 
Navy answered in the 13th minute after a penalty gave the Mids a lineout near the five-meter line. A powerful maul allowed Jake Cornelius to find a gap for a try. A missed conversion left the deficit at 7-5.
 
The Golden Bears closed the half with three-unanswered tries to take a 26-5 lead. Cade Crist scored off a lineout maul in the 22nd minute. A Navy yellow card gave Seamus Deely a man advantage to score a 29th-minute try. Masi Koi broke through the defense for another score in the 35th minute and Edstrom added the conversion.
 
Navy opened the second half with a Roanin Krieger penalty kick in the 45th minute to make it 26-8.
 
California's Nate Comiskey answered with a try just four minutes later.
 
The Mids mounted a late comeback fueled by California penalties. Tanner Call dove across the try line in the 62nd minute to capitalize on a Golden Bears yellow card. Andrew Baublitz then broke free down the sideline for a try in the 69th-minute. Krieger converted both scores to trim Cal's lead to 31-22.
 
"That was a spark for us to get us back in the game," Hickie stated. "We found ourselves down 21 points again at halftime and we were hopeful that we might just do it again, but that wasn't the case today."
 
A late Navy penalty gave California possession back with three minutes remaining. Comiskey sealed the victory with his second try in the 80th minute.
 
"I couldn't be prouder of these guys [Navy's senior class]," Hickie remarked. "They have taken varsity by the horns, they've leveled us up and they leave a lasting legacy with us now for the future, which is very exciting."
 
Krieger led Navy with seven points on two conversions and a penalty kick. Cornelius, Call and Baublitz each added a try.
 
Comiskey paced California with two tries. Oliver Teague, Cade Crist, Seamus Deely and Masi Koi added single scores. Filip Edstrom tallied three conversion kicks for the Golden Bears.
 
 
Box Score
1:05 – Try – California – Oliver Teague (0-5)
Conversion kick – Filip Edstrom (0-7)
 
12:52 – Try – Navy – Jake Cornelius (5-7)
 
21:06 – Try – California – Cade Crist (5-12)
 
28:47 – Try – California – Seamus Deely (17-5)
Conversion kick – Filip Edstrom (19-5)
 
34:27 – Try – California – Masi Koi (24-5)
Conversion kick – Filip Edstrom (26-5)
 
44:06 – Penalty kick – Navy – Roanin Krieger (26-8)
 
48:17 – Try – California – Nate Comiskey (31-8)
 
61:15 – Try – Navy – Tanner Call (31-13)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (31-15)
 
68:13 – Try – Navy – Andrew Baublitz (31-20)
Conversion kick – Roanin Krieger (31-22)
 
79:10 – Try – California – Nate Comiskey (36-22)