CALIFORNIA, Pa. -- Sixth-ranked California (Pa.) outlasted 15th-ranked Shepherd, for a 58-38 triumph in NCAA II Northeast Region final action at Adamson Stadium.

Shepherd took a 7-0 lead on the first play of the game when senior Dervon Wallace returned the opening kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown.

Daine Williams scored for the Vulcans on a one-yard run with 12:00 left in the first quarter, to tie the game and took a 14-7 lead minutes later when Joe Ruggiero teamed with Joe Slappy 14-yard score. 

A 31-yard field goal by junior kicker Bryan Beverage with 3:58 left in the first quarter to cut the lead to 14-10 before Tyler Lorenz connected on field goals of 22 and 21 yards in the second quarter, to up the Cal lead to 20-10.

A 39-yard touchdown scamper by Windell Brown with 4:03 left in the second quarter increased the Vulcan lead to 27-10. 

Wallace scored on a one-yard plunge with 19 seconds left in the half cut the lead to 27-17 as the Rams closed the gap to 10 points before intermission.

Brown raced 11 yards for a score with 13:25 left in the third quarter and Lorenz connected on a 35-yard field goal minutes later to give Cal a 37-17 advantage. 

Junior quarterback Tyler Lazear teamed with junior tight end Ryan Lavin on a four-yyard scoring play to cut the deficit to 37-24.

Ruggiero connected on a 40-yard scoring pass to Jermaine Moye with 1:25 left in the third quarter to give the Vulcans a 44-24 advantage.  

Lazear teamed with Wallace on a 38-yard scoring pass with 14 seconds left in the third quarter to cut the lead to 44-31.

Cal added a pair of scores before Shepherd completed the scoring with 3:02 left in the game, when Lazear teamed with freshman wide receiver Nikkolai Norrell on a seven-yard scoring strike.