GRR on X  GRR on Facebook GRR in Instagram GRR Vimeo Library GRR on YouTube RuggaMatrix America Podcasts Support GRR on Patreon

Payback or Redux for D1A Semis?

irish rugby tours

Payback or Redux for D1A Semis?

Saint Mary's and Cal faced off March 26, with Cal emerging 31-24 winners. David Barpal photo.

The D1A playoffs are down to semifinals, with a chance for someone in the East to make their first-ever D1A final.

Lindenwood at Army Friday, April 22, 7PM ET
Watch live here>>

Saint Mary's at Cal Saturday April 23, 1PM PT
Watch live here>>

Both of these matchups have happened already this season. Army defeated Lindenwood on November 12 at West Point by a score of 26-17. 

Last meeting with these two teams was November 12, 2021. Army won 26-17 in a game where they never trailed. 

Army 26
Tries: Tianga, Meehan 2, Green
Convs: McNulty 3

Lindenwood 17
Tries: Brynard, Moylett
Convs: Smith 2
Pens: Smith

Interestingly, all the score was done in the first 50 minutes.

Both teams have evolved since then, with Army showcasing a bit more of an open style of play. Lindenwood will likely have a slightly different lineup in this game—there were six differences between that November lineup and last week's Lindenwood roster for Arkansas State.

Saint Mary's took on Cal March 26 in Berkeley and Cal won that game 31-24.

Cal 31
Tries: Zylstra, Severance, Walsh, Manzo, Shea
Convs: Salter 3

Saint Mary's 24
 

Saint Mary's looks at that game and decries errors. Cal looks at that game and wonders if it was all enough. Mostly like the Bears have concluded that despite a solid showing in the scrums especially, and despite a strong finish, they would need to be even more precise this time out.

Both teams have been in the D1A final before, and they have met in the semis before—the last time Cal won on the final play.  

Might it all hang on one moment?