Rugby advances to NSCRO Elite 8

Keelhaulers defeated New Mexico Highlands University 30-27.

Cal Maritime came out on top in a close contest that displayed to evenly matched teams who frequently play on the national tournament stage.

The game was tied at 15-15 at the half, before the Keelhaulers broke through late.

"It was a back-and-forth game with six lead changes," Head Coach Steve Hiatt said. "No matter what setback happened in the game the team kept bouncing back to work hard on the next goal."

They'll now advance to the National Small College Rugby Organization Elite 8 where they'll face 2018 final-four participant and 2017 National Champion, Claremont Colleges, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time.

The winner on Sunday will go on to the 2019 NSCRO Champions Cup National Championship on April 26 & 28 at Siena College in Loudonville, NY where they will join Endicott College (Northeast), Christendom College (Mid-Atlantic South), and St. John's University (Central) to compete for the national title.