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Cal Beats No. 1 Navy in a Classic Rugby Match
The defending national champion Bears overcame a second-half deficit to knock off the top-ranked Midshipmen.
Published on Mar. 8, 2026
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Cal overcame a seven-point second-half deficit by scoring the final 14 points of the game to knock off No. 1-ranked Navy 52-45 in a riveting rugby match on Saturday afternoon at sold-out Witter Field in Berkeley. Cal, the defending national champion in rugby 15s, remains undefeated and may move up to the No. 1 ranking when the next college rugby polls are posted.
Why it matters
This was a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top college rugby programs in the country. Cal's victory over the previously undefeated Navy squad solidifies their status as a national powerhouse and likely vaults them to the top of the national rankings.
The details
Navy (7-1) took a 45-38 lead with 16 minutes to go when Andrew Baublitz scored his third try of the game. But Cal's Masi Koi scored a try after kicking the ball ahead to himself, and when Rand Santos added the conversion the score was tied 45-45. Cal's Santos was sent off for a high tackle with 7:18 to go, giving Navy an advantage. However, Oliver Teague scored a try for Cal with five minutes remaining, and after Koi added the conversion, Cal had a 52-45 lead.
- The game was played on Saturday afternoon.
- Cal finishes its spring rugby 15 schedule with two road matches against elite college rugby squads, traveling to face Army next Saturday and then playing its final regular-season match on March 28 in Moraga against East Bay rival Saint Mary's.
- The Bears then begin the defense of their 2025 national championships when the postseason playoffs begin April 11.
The players
Masi Koi
A Cal player who scored a try after kicking the ball ahead to himself to tie the game at 45-45.
Rand Santos
A Cal player who added the conversion to tie the game at 45-45, but was later sent off for a high tackle.
Oliver Teague
A Cal player who scored the go-ahead try with five minutes remaining to give Cal a 52-45 lead.
Andrew Baublitz
A Navy player who scored three tries in the game, including one that gave Navy a 45-38 lead with 16 minutes remaining.
What’s next
Cal finishes its spring rugby 15 schedule with two road matches against elite college rugby squads, traveling to face Army next Saturday and then playing its final regular-season match on March 28 in Moraga against East Bay rival Saint Mary's. The Bears then begin the defense of their 2025 national championships when the postseason playoffs begin April 11.
The takeaway
Cal's victory over the previously undefeated Navy squad solidifies their status as a national powerhouse and likely vaults them to the top of the national rankings, setting the stage for an exciting postseason run as they defend their 2025 national championship.
