The Men’s Division I semifinals are an all-Atlantic Rugby Conference affair, with St. Bonaventure (8-1-1) meeting Walsh (7-3-1) in Butler, PA, and Queens (7-2-1) hosting Belmont Abbey (8-3) in Charlotte, NC. Both are rematches from the regular season.
When Walsh hosted St. Bonaventure in October, the first-ever match between the programs, they played to a 25-25 draw. The Bonnies scored four tries to Walsh’s one, with Cavalier flyhalf Jake Tolhoek slotting six penalty kicks to put Walsh up 25-18 late. Bonnies hooker Mehdi Merah dotted down in the final three minutes and Noah Edwards converted to force the draw.
St. Bonaventure is seeking its first national championship since 2021, having fallen in the semifinal twice and final once since then. Walsh, in just its second year as a program, is seeking its first-ever national championship, though there are remnants from Notre Dame College’s 2023 title on the roster.
Belmont Abbey made the 16-mile trek to Queens for some Friday night footy under the lights in October, and the Royals ran away in the second half, 47-19. It was a must-win game for Queens, who started conference play 0-1-1 with a loss to Bonnies and a draw against Wheeling.
The Crusaders took an early lead with a pair of tries in the opening 10 minutes, and the Royals rallied to secure a narrow halftime lead, 21-19. The second stanza was all Queens, the Royals running in four tries and holding Belmont scoreless.
Making it to Saturday already constitutes the deepest playoff run in Belmont Abbey’s five-year history. Queens, 2019 DII champs, are seeking their first DI title, having lost to Brown in the final in 2022 and 2024. Belmont Abbey is 0-3 all-time against Queens, the closest contest being a 20-point loss in 2024.
St. Bonaventure and Walsh kick off at 3 p.m. ET in Butler, and crosstown rivals Belmont Abbey and Queens kickoff at 5 p.m. in Charlotte. Both matches will be streamed live on tv.ncr.rugby.
