Challenger Bracket: Maryland 28, Penn State 26

Just as they were a day ago, Penn State was in full control of their match until the final moments. In their opening round match-up in the challenger bracket, Penn State let one slip away against Maryland, who scored three times in the second half to edge the Nittany Lions, 28-26.

Penn State took a 26-7 lead before the Terps stormed back in the second half. Penn State’s defense could not keep up with Trevor Tanifum, who broke a pair of runs loose for a try to give the Terps some life. John Davis tied the game after the buzzer at 26-26, and Patrick Pacious kicked the match-winning conversion to get Maryland in to the second round.

Maryland will face the winner of the Oklahoma and Notre Dame match.

Championship Bracket: Arizona 26, Navy 5

Arizona advanced to the second round of the championship bracket Sunday, defeating Navy 26-5 in the opening round.

After a few minutes of tough defense mostly at midfield, Navy took advantage of the first scoring opportunity of the match when Seamus Siefring pushed in for the try to take a 5-0 lead. Arizona fought back as the game opened up with open field. Brett Thompson put the Wildcats on the board and Peter Tiberio’s conversion gave the Wildcats the lead just before the half.

The Wildcats pulled away in the second half, with Tiberio kicking a pair of conversions following scores by Craig Samoy and Trent Fischer to build a 21-5 lead.

Arizona will play LIFE in the next round.

Championship Bracket: Dartmouth 35, Wisconsin 5

The defending champions had little trouble with the Wisconsin Badgers in the second match of the championship rounds Sunday. Dartmouth, who outscored their opponents in pool play by a combined 90-12, blasted Wisconsin 35-5.

Dartmouth converted a Wisconsin turnover in to a pretty try to open the scoring, with a nice pass to Will Mueller allowing him to run for the score without interference. The conversion by Derek Fish put Dartmouth up 7-0. Madison Hughes scored two minutes later and Fish made another conversion to build a 14-0 lead while Wisconsin was still attempting to find a path across midfield. A nasty stiff arm by Kevin Clark helped Dartmouth get back on the board one more time in the first half, taking a 21-0 lead in to the break.

Dartmouth will meet Cal in the second round later today.

Championship Bracket: LIFE 12, Delaware 5

LIFE advanced to the second round of the Championship Rounds on Sunday, with a tournament opening victory against the home town favorites from Delaware. The tough and intense match saw little scoring and stingy defense from both sides, but LIFE topped Delaware with 12 unanswered points in a 12-5 decision.

Delaware opened the scoring, perhaps stunning LIFE with an aggressive attack that frustrated the Eagles. James Kowalski worked his way in for a try to give the Blue Hens an early 5-0 lead. LIFE would tie things up with a try run by Cornelius Dirksen, and a conversion by Colton Cariaga put LIFE on top, 7-5. LIFE extended their lead to 12-5 following a Cameron Dolan try.

LIFE will take on Arizona in the second round.

Match 24: Cal 24, Army 5

Two Pac 12 schools clinched top seeds in pool play Saturday. A little more than hour apart, Arizona took the top seed in Pool C and Cal followed up in the final match of the day by grabbing the Pool D top seed. Cal’s 29-5 win against Army puts the Golden Bears in good position for Sunday.

With the winner awarded the top spot, Cal made sure to seize control early on. Connor ring, Bradley Harrington and Ahmed Chehade all scored a try to build a 17-0 lead in seven minutes of play before Army was able to get on the scoreboard. Cal then put the match away with a straight run up the middle by Paul Bosco for another try to give Cal a 24-5 lead following the conversion by Harrington. Cal would capitalize on a turnover by Army deep in their own zone for a little more insurance.

Cal clinched the top seed out of Pool D with the win and will advance to the championship bracket for Sunday. The Bears will face the Texas Longhorns, the second seed out of Pool C. The winner will face the winner of the Arizona-Navy match. Army will continue to play in the challenger bracket, and will meet North Carolina State in the first round of that bracket.

Match 23: Navy 19, Notre Dame 15

Navy picked up a pair of victories on Saturday, clinching their spot in the championship bracket with a 19-15 win against Notre Dame. The back and forth match was the next to final match of the night, with Cal and Army taking the pitch for the last match of the day’s schedule.

Navy got on the scoreboard early, with Nicholas Hancock scoring a try in the second minute, with Ricky Feller scoring the conversion for an early 7-0 lead. Notre Dame responded with their first points since scoring a try against Army in the morning in their first match. The Irish scored  minutes later with Dominic Corsaro picking up a try to increase Notre Dame’s lead to 10-7 heading in to the half.

The second half continued to be a back and forth between the two squads. Navy’s Jack McAuliffe opened the second half scoring with a try, but Notre Dame battled back with Corsaro giving Notre Dame the lead, at 15-12 with three minutes and change to play. But Navy would not be denied. In the final minute of regulation, Navy’s Ron Helms found enough room to work his way in for the try to give the Midshipmen the 19-15 lead with 43 seconds to play.

With the win, Navy advances to the championship bracket as the Pool D second seed. They will face a strong Arizona team in the first round on Sunday. Notre Dame will continue in the challenger bracket, playing the Oklahoma Sooners in round one of that bracket.

Match 22: Texas 28, Oklahoma 19

The Red River Rivalry moved to the Delaware River Saturday evening, with the Texas Longhorns besting the Oklahoma Sooners by the final score of 28-19. The win places the Longhorns in the championship bracket as the second seed from Pool C.

Texas opened the scoring with a try and conversion from Taylor Hayes one minute in to the match. The Sooners tied it up on the next possession with Bradley Henry pushing in for a try but a missed conversion kept the Longhorns in front. Texas then struck right back and the Longhorns took a 19-5 lead in to the half.

Texas would extend their lead to 28-5 before the Sooners started to put together some late pressure. Bradley Henry’s try in the eleven minute mark and Bobby Impson’s conversion was followed up by Michael Al-Jiboori’s try and another Impson conversion to cut the Texas lead to 28-19 late, but the Longhorns were able to work some clock and hold off their usual Big 12 rivals.

With the win, Texas moves in to the championship bracket as the Pool C two-seed. Their opponent will be determined following the conclusion of round robin play in Pool D. The Sooners will also have to wait to learn their opponent in the challenger’s bracket, although Notre Dame looks to be the most likely opponent.

Match 21: Arizona 38, North Carolina State 0

Arizona had little trouble in their third match of the day. The Wildcats looked strong all day long and finished their day by turning aside North Carolina State in the final Saturday match for each, 38-0.

For the Wildcats it was more Brett Thompson and Peter Tiberio. Thompson scored twice in the first three minutes of the match, and Tiberio converted three conversions in the first half as Arizona took a 21-0 lead in to the break. It was more than enough, as Arizona continued to pile on in the second half.

Arizona will be the top seed out of Pool C in the championship rounds on Sunday. the Wildcats will face the second seed out of Pool D, either Army or Navy. (to be determined). North Carolina State will continue in the challenger bracket, and will play either Army or Navy in the first round on Sunday.

Match 20: Cal 29, Notre Dame 0

A little more than five hours after playing their first match, Cal came through as the temperatures started to drop along the Delaware River by PPL Park. Cal picked up their second win of the day, defeating Notre Dame 29-0.

Cal accounted for all of the scoring in the first half, with Daniel Barrett opening the scoring with a try three minutes in and Bradley Harrington following later with his own. Harrington also kicked the conversion on Barrett’s score.

Jake Anderson added a try for Cal in the second half to extend the lead to 19-0 following the conversion as the Bears started to slam the door shut on Notre Dame.

Cal will play Army (1-1) in the final match of the day, scheduled for 7:03 p.m. Prior to that match, Notre Dame will play Navy (1-1) at 6:42 p.m.

Match 19: Navy 34, Army 14

If Navy is only going to win one game, they got the one they would probably want the most Saturday afternoon. Navy picked up their first win of the Collegiate Rugby Championship in a 34-14 victory against Army. The win was the first Navy has ever recorded against Army in rugby sevens competition.

It was a back-and-forth first half, with both sides trading scores. Army opened the scoring with a nice run by Christopher Beck down the left sideline, with Royce Vessel picking up the conversion. Navy struck right back with their own try, by Seamus Siefring. A missed conversion kept Army in front, and the lead was expanded when Beck struck again and Vessell followed with another conversion. Navy scored the final 12 points of the half to take a 17-14 lead to the break.

Navy pulled away in the second half by shutting out Army in the process. As the game concluded the fans in the stands started up chants of “U-S-A!” in honor of both teams.

Both service academies will have one more match to play Saturday before figuring out where they fit in to the Sunday action. Army take son Cal in the final match of the say, at 7:03 p.m. Navy will take on Notre Dame in the match before that, at 6:42 p.m.