Scoring on a game-tying drive in the final seconds of play, the SacState Men?s Rugby Club obtained its first ever Northern CaliforniaDivision I Playoff birth Saturday with a 35-35 draw against Saint Mary?s.

Sac State plays host to Central Washington March 31 at 1:00pm. If theHornets win, they will earn a Sweet 16 birth and the right to challengefor the Division I National Championship.

“The team dug down deep because they knew the playoffs were riding onthis match,” Sac State head coach Justin Prichard said. “We were inbetter condition and showed tremendous heart at the end of the game whenSaint Mary?s ran out of gas.”

The Hornets? needed a victory over the Gaels to receive an automaticPacific Regional Tournament bid, but still qualified because leaguecompetitor UC Davis (2-3) defeated Chico State (2-3).

Sac State controlled ball possession for the majority of play and hadopportunities to solidify the victory. Hornet scrum- half Chris Millerran and recycled the ball well according to Prichard.

“Many of our points came off of multiple phase rugby. Someone was alwayspushing the ball up the field and getting tackled,” Prichard said. “Thenthey push the ball out of the scrum and to the wings, who make a breakfor it.”

With three minutes remaining in the game, Saint Mary?s scored and wentup by five points. Sac State countered with a strong offensive push andwould not be denied, avoiding a critical loss.

Sac State (2-2-1) is the number two seed entering the playoffs, behindfirst seeded Cal (4-0), and in front Saint Mary?s (2-2-1), the thirdseed. The Hornets position above the Gaels, despite identical leaguerecords, was determined by comparing both teams? total pointdifferential for the season. A NorCal Rugby Football Union head refereeconfirmed Sac State had a ?21 differential, with 137 points scored forand 158 against. Saint Mary?s had a ?42 differential, with 130 pointsscored for and 172 against.