Defending national champions pull away late in Senior Day rivalry game

VALLEJO, Calif. – Before the start of Saturday's regular season finale at Bodnar Field, Cal Maritime's rugby program honored Matthew Ettlin-Loveton and Matthew Rizzi since the pair will graduate this year and made their final regular season appearance as a Keelhauler. 

Once the game began, a full house enjoyed an action-packed rivalry clash from start to finish, one that saw Cal Poly Humboldt, the defending national champions, hold a slim 7-0 advantage at halftime.

Throughout the first 60 minutes of this rivalry matchup, a young Cal Maritime squad more than held their own against their experienced counterparts. However, throughout the final 20 minutes, the Lumberjacks began to pull away and create enough distance to secure a 36-7 victory over the Keelhaulers.

After Cal Poly Humboldt scored the first 17 points of the second half, Anthony Perez broke through to record the Keelhaulers' first try of the afternoon. Connor Hannon tacked on another pair of points to prevent their counterparts from recording a shutout result.

The Keelhaulers will return to action in two weeks because Cal Maritime earned the right to host National Collegiate Rugby's Men's Small College West Regional on November 18 and 19.

GoKeelhaulers.com will highlight opening round matchups between the four teams vying for a trip to Houston, site of the National Championship, once officially announced NCR officials.

Scoring Summary

#3 Cal Poly Humboldt 36, #17 Cal Maritime 7

25: 38   CPH  #14 5, #15 2

Halftime Score: #3 Cal Poly Humboldt 7, #17 Cal Maritime 0

4:50   CPH #1 5
11:48   CPH #1 5, #15 2
17:05  CPH #1 5,
31:37   CSUM Anthony Perez 5, Connor Hannon 2
34:42   CPH #3, #15 2
40:00   CPH #9