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Posted: Feb 28, 2014

Keelhaulers Fall to Sonoma State

Cal Maritime Rugby Team Loses to Sonoma State in League Match, 26 - 41

The Cal Maritime Rugby Team couldn't hold a 2nd half lead and lost an important league game to Sonoma State 41 - 26 on Saturday, February 22. After 6 lead changes scored, the Keelhaulers went up 21 - 19 on Senior Captain Phil Maksim's try early in the second half. Unfortunately, Sonoma State exploited CMA's defensive gaps and quickly scored 4 times over the next 15 minutes to put the game away. A late try by sophomore prop Matt Gordon made the final score 26 - 41. Junior lock Ryan Morris and sophomore center Chad Mensinger scored the first half tries, with Mensinger converting on 3 of the tries scored. Sonoma State's 7 tries follows on Santa Rosa Junior College's 7 tries the previous week in a 55 - 5 thrashing of CMA to break Cal Maritime's hopes for 8 straight years of post-season play. Only a complete meltdown over the final 2 league gams by SSU and SRJC will allow CMA any chance at post-season play this season.

"I thought we matched Sonoma State's intensity stride for stride for the first 50 minutes of the match" said CMA"s Coach Steven Hiatt said. "Unfortunately, our defensive lapses in the next 15 minutes allowed Sonoma State to pull away and decisively win. Poor decision making and execution on our part gave us only 1 score despite dominating for the first 20 minutes, something that has plagued us all year - which tough opponents take advantage of as seen by our losses to Cal Poly, SRJC, and Sonoma State. At the higher levels of competition, each wasted opportunity is keenly important and I hope we learn from this." Senior Phil Maksim, junior Ryan Morris, and sophomore Brian Martinez were selected as "players of note" for the game but the opposing coach and referee.

Cal Maritime's next match will be on Saturday, March 1, when they host league opponent University of San Francisco at CMA's Bodnar Field. Kick-off will be at 1pm.

All fans, supporters, and alumni are invited to come out and watch the friendly match.