Be Careful When Making Predictions

10.28.2025College Men

Belmont Abbey vs Walsh October 25, 2025.

Belmont Abbey pulled off a bit of an upset against Walsh. Photo Belmont Abbey Rugby.

WU -- Christian Gatica try (conversion missed), 0-5 BAC -- Louis Fahey try (Tu'ilsila conversion good), 7-5 WU -- Jonty Kimber try (Elliott McKinney conversion), 7-12 BAC -- Tu'ilsila penalty conversion good, 10-12 BAC -- Jean Teson try (Tu'ilsila conversion good), 17-12 Second Half BAC -- Ka'Ron Young try (Tu'ilsila conversion good), 24-12 WU -- Gatica try (McKinney conversion), 24-19 BAC -- Tu'ilsila penalty conversion good, 27-19

Here we are eating crow after saying that Belmont Abbey would definitely lose to Walsh over the weekend.

Of course, when you blurt out something like that, you open yourself up to being very, very wrong, and that's exactly what happened as Belmont Abbey beat Walsh 27-19.

The result significantly slowed Walsh's ARC conference championship aspirations, and put Belmont Abbey ...

For Abbey Head Coach Genaro Fessia, this was a key step in the team's development.

"We are a team that seeks to play intelligent rugby that moves the ball and creates options, not just physicality and seeking contact," said Fessia. But that's not something that comes quickly and easily at this level—you need games and experience together.

"It's a process that takes time," added the coach, "but we're convinced the end result is better."

It's easy to forget that this is only Belmont Abbey's second year in NCR's D1. They are still a young team.

Again, remember, this is our second year in D1, and I believe that growth is evident, but it's not complete yet.

Atlantic Rugby Conference (ARC) Standings October 28, 2025

October 28, 2025

For their part, Walsh did themselves no favors. Even after Christian Gatica staked his side to an early lead, they were in trouble with an injury and a red card. The players said afterward that they had the wherewithal to handle all of that, but fell away from their game plan.

Belmont scored through Louis Fahey only for Jonty Kimber to answer. Belmont Abbey responded with a penalty goal from Harris Tu'ilsila, but it wasn't until just before halftime that Abbey led—Jean Teson's try and Tu'ilsila's conversion making it 17-12.

Walsh, however, was playing in sort of desperation mode. Pulled out of their game plan by Abbey's slightly different approach, the Cavs saw the Crusaders pull away thanks to Ka'Ron Young's try. Gatica scored his second but it wasn't enough.

All of this is to say that there are few guarantees in the ARC. And with one more week of competition left, it has come down to this:

St. Bonaventure is 1st and will be in the conference final.

Walsh plays Queens and the winner will be in the final against Bonnies. Belmont Abbey plays Wheeling, with the winner playing for 3rd against either Walsh or Queens.

The loser of that game will play Kutztown for 5th and the final ARC spot in the NCR D1 playoffs.

Notwithstanding the Belmont Abbey-vs-Walsh result, there does seem to be a logjam in those teams pushing to get to the final. Queens tied Wheeling, who lost to Walsh by just two 26-24. Walsh tied St. Bonaventure, a team Queens lost to by only three.

All of that is to say that whoever wins the Queens-Walsh game will be very eager for another shot at St. Bonaventure.