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11.01.2026
Walsh won #1 vs #4, but it was close. 2026. Alex Goff photo.
Walsh won #1 vs #4, but it was close. Alex Goff photo.
Author: Alex Goff

Walsh University and St. Bonaventure will contest for the ARC conference title next week.

Walsh won the crucial game to get themselves into that championship match on Saturday, edging Queens 24-21 in a battle of two 3-1 teams. With the win Walsh moved to 4-1, tied with St. Bonaventure on record and on standings points with 19. 

Whatever tiebreaker one would want to use, head-to-head or points different, would end up favoring Walsh, but really it doesn't matter, because it's #1 vs #2 regardless and the game will be hosted by VMI regardless.

It wasn't easy. Queens has been solid this year with only a one-point loss to Bonnies to blemish their conference record before this weekend.

Walsh, which lost unexpectedly to Kutztown a couple of weeks ago, had gone from being in control of the conference to needing this win.

"I think the difference was our composure on defense," said Head Coach Andrew Martin. "We’ve been working hard on our line speed and trusting the system." 

Nick Bitossi and Josh Groudle led the way on defense.

Groudle has been outstanding this fall at hooker and his front row compatriots Luke Dotson and Colton Weber make for a formidable platform for the Cavaliers.

So this coming weekend all six ARC teams from the conference are playing.

Bonnies plays Walsh for 1st and 2nd; Queens plays Kutztown for 3rd and 4th, and Belmont Abbey plays Wheeling for 5th and 6th.

The top two teams are guaranteed a spot in the NCR D1 playoffs, while there's an excellent chance the #3 team will get in, too.

 

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