Editor's Note: Belmont Abbey Athletics is taking a look back at some of the highlights from the 2025-26 competition season. Stories will be reposted with the headline CRUSADER REWIND. This article was originally posted on November 23, 2025.

RIO GRANDE, Ohio -- Belmont Abbey exploded to a 41-5 halftime lead, then held on for a 44-24 victory over Notre Dame in the National Collegiate Rugby Division I quarterfinal Sunday afternoon. The win propels the Crusaders to a semifinal matchup against Atlantic Rugby Conference and local rival Queens.

The contest will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Tennesee Rugby Park in Knoxville, Tenn.

Six different players scored tries for The Abbey -- Louis Fahey, Oliver Fussell, Grayson Denton, Ka'ron Young, Jean Teson and Samuel Patch, Harry Tui'sila made four conversion kicks and two penalty kicks. The Fighting Irish tallied four tries and a pair of conversions.

The other semfinal features St. Bonventure and Walsh, giving the ARC all four remaining teams.