With last Saturday?s Sacramento weather forecast predicting a heavy downpour, the Sac State Men?s rugby team knew their eagerly anticipated showdown against nationally ranked Cal Berkeley, would be the biggest challenge of the year. But, what the Hornets didn?t expect was a downpour of 36 unanswered points and a shutout by the visiting Bears.

“Cal is a well-trained team and made no mistakes today. They were just bigger and faster than us and showed why they are the best team in the nation,” said Sac State wing Mike Plescia. “This game was a great learning experience for us and despite the outcome, it helped our defense gain confidence.”

As a result of the 36-0 defeat, the Hornets must now win both of their upcoming league games versus Chico State and St. Mary?s to make the Division I playoffs. Sac State?s current overall record drops to 5-2, while Cal remains undefeated in the United States and poised to repeat as Division I national champions. The Bears? sole loss of the season came against a Canadian team earlier this year.

The Hornets played solid defense and held Cal scoreless for the first seventeen minutes of play, behind key tackles from flankers Ryan Nelson and Tyler Pierce.

“I have been coaching Ryan since back at Del Campo High School, and this was the best game I?ve ever seen him play,” Prichard said. “He was all over the field defensively.”

Sac State?s defense took Cal out of its game plan early on and forced them to rely on their second and third offensive options. The Bears were prepared for a change in strategy though, because they practice five days a week all season long using state-of-the-art training facilities funded by their university. The Hornets on the other hand, practice two days a week and are in a transitional phase with their sport.

“We are trying to shift college rugby here from a social club sport to an actual athletic program so that we can get school funding,” Prichard said.

Sac State faces Chico State at home March 3.