Cal Maritime Opens Pre-Season Campaign by Defeating Stanford

(Vallejo, Nov 17, 2006) – In their first pre-season game, Cal Maritime defeated Stanford 32-13.
Playing in front of a vocal and supportive crowd at Bodnar Field, the Keelhaulers scored five
tries to record its first ever victory over Stanford.

The pre-season game format was three periods of 30 minutes to allow both teams to experiment
with new combinations and introduce rookies to the game.

Nate Housman opened the scoring with a penalty kick before rookie Rufus Walker scored his
first try in his debut for the Keelhaulers. Stanford led 13-8 after the first period but the Cal
Maritime forwards showed their strength and technique to dominate the scrums. 

The second period was scoreless and Maritime worked hard to defend its 22 yard line. The
defensive line stayed strong and the Cardinals were held at bay while the Keelhaulers exerted
pressure through the scrum and lineout.

The forward pressure took its toll during the third period as Cal Maritime won scrum ball
comfortably and Nate Housman found a gap to score under the posts. The forwards created the
next try for the energetic Bobby Rather from a powerful driving maul before Rookie David Van
Der Hoek scored on his debut by finding space around the side of a ruck.

The final try was scored by rookie Kirk Mueller after a fine solo run from 50 yards to
end a promising first game.

The victory was bittersweet for the coaching staff of the Keelhaulers since this was the last game
for popular forwards coach Neil Grant. “We are losing Neil at the end of the month when he
moves back to South Africa and I know how proud he was of the forwards today. The team
gave him a good send off today and Cal Maritime says a big thank you to all his help”, said
Edward Roberts, coach of the Keelhaulers.  

“Our forwards really disrupted Stanford in the scrums and created a good platform for us. After
only one week of practice we look to have some solid foundations in place. We clearly have
much to work on but all credit to the team, they showed some mental toughness today and, of
course, they can tell their children about the day they beat Stanford.”

The victory, by Cal Maritime, that plays in Northern California’s Division 2, is only the second
in the team’s history over an opponent from Northern California’s Division 1.

Cal Maritime’s next game is against San Francisco Golden Gates U23 on Dec 2.

Tries: Housman, Mueller, Rather, Van Der Hoek, Walker.
Cons: Housman (2).
Pens: Housman.