Minneapolis, MN -- North Central University (NCU) esports completed another week of play as the varsity teams 3-2 on the week. Coming off of a tough loss two weeks ago, NCU Rocket League took the stage on Monday as they defeated Keiser 3-0. After picking up a solid 2-0 win over the Kansas Jayhawks JV squad, Valorant opened the group stage of the Collegiate Valorant (CVAL) Fall Tournament against a pair of higher-level opponents resulting in two losses. Super Smash Bros picked up a big win over Mid-America Christian University on Thursday, but NCU's JV squads continued to struggle dropping two more matches. Finally, although Fortnite saw improved play from a few young players, all five duos we unable to qualify for this split's NACE Championship.
Rocket League vs Keiser University Lakeland (3-0 Victory) - FULL RESULTS
Game 1: NCU - 6 KU - 2
- After a minute and two seconds, Micah "miciliux" Headley dribbled past two defenders for the opening goal of the series.
- Off the next kickoff, Keiser puts the ball on target from KU's corner which was missed by Andre "blvyze" Muteba on the goal line, score is 1-1.
- 2 minutes in, Thomas "Uriel" Heimer gets a strong touch off the backboard which is followed up by Headley for a goal.
- After heavy pressure, Muteba gets a solo play across the field for NCU's third goal of the game.
- Heimer's kickoff leaves the ball center field which is picked up by Headley and flicked over the defender for NCU's fourth goal of the series.
- After 2 unanswered goals, Keiser dunks Heimer in NCU's half and puts a shot through the defense, the score is 4-2 with just over 2 minutes to go.
- Headley air dribbles over center field, scoring his fourth goal of the game.
- Headley with another air ripple is blocked by two KU players on the goal line, the save is not enough and Muteba follows up for his second goal of the game, the score is 6-2
- The four-goal deficit proved to be too much for KU and NCU takes game 1.
- NCU dominated the offensive with 11 shots on goal to KU's 2 shots on goal.
Game 2: NCU - 3 KU - 2
- After a quiet first half of the game, Heimer sends an upfield pass to KU's corner which is received by Headley for a 64mph opening goal.
- Umbra is met with an awkward ball on the goal line that is slammed home by a confident challenge from Heimer, his first goal of the series.
- With 29 seconds left, Keiser catches NCU off-balance and sneaks a goal through, the score is 2-1.
- After winning the kickoff, KU went upfield to dunk Headley for a quick second goal, the score is now 2-2 with less than 20 seconds to go.
- A miscommunication causes Headley to miss an open-net opportunity which would have sealed game 2 as a win for NCU.
- Heimer gives Headley another chance, this time at 0 seconds left on the clock and Headley hits a tough backboard read to steal game 2, giving him his second MVP of the series.
- NCU amassed another 15 shots on goal in game 2 which was met by only four shots on goal from KU.
Game 3: NCU - 3 KU - 2
- Just 18 seconds in, Muteba passed the ball off of KU's backboard which was received by Heimer for his second goal of the series.
- Headley sneaks in another unattended ball to put NCU up by 2 less than halfway through the game.
- KU answers relatively quickly with a 74mph ball to score and narrow the lead 2-1.
- To keep their lead further out of reach from KU, Uriel comes from behind two defenders and slots NCU's third goal of the game.
- To stay alive in the series, KU scores their second goal of the game, keeping the game within one goal, the score is 3-2.
- NCU manages to hold off multiple attacks from KU, running down the clock to zero, winning the series in a sweeping fashion.
Recap written by
Micah Headley
Super Smash Ultimate JV vs Grand Valley State University (2-0 Defeat)
Game 1: NCU - 8 GVSU - 12
Game 2: NCU - 7 GVSU - 12
- Jibben would open the second game and take 3 stocks while only losing one initially but in the next match up would fall without taking a stock leaving the game tied
- Abts would take one stock before ultimately losing his 3 stocks
- Winter winter would take a total of 3 stocks
- Howard was unable to find an opening, would be the last player ending the series 2-0
Valorant vs University of Kansas Red (2-0 Victory) - FULL RESULTS
Game 1 - Haven: NCU - 13 KU - 7
- Despite losing the starting pistol round, NCU would come out strong with rounds on their attacking half.
- Winning the first two defensive rounds, the Rams would give up 5 rounds in a row before closing the map 13-7
- A big key to NCU's offensive success in game one was Alliyah "Allegiance" Lee who would find eliminations in 9/12 attacking rounds and 5 opening eliminations.
Game 2: Ascent: NCU - 13 KU - 11
- In a much closer matchup, KU would find both the opening and buy up round of NCU's offense. Despite this, the team was able to secure a 7-5 half.
- On defense, NCU would finally start strong winning both opening rounds. Though the half would go 6-6, the Rams would win the match and series.
- Trent "Twid" Flaming would remain a strong support of the team with 3 rounds that had 3 eliminations and a 92% KAST (Kill, Assist,Survived,Trade) percentage.
Super Smash vs Mid-America Christian University (2-0 Victory)
Game 1: NCU - 12 MACU - 7
- Rydon "RjFx4" Foldhazi went out first with megaman, took two stocks off the opposing sepheroph before falling.
- Todd "lucid" Holloway II went out next on Samus, dropping one stock to a ledge guard before finishing off his opponent.
- MACU sent out a byleth next, who Holloway II elegantly three stocked, placing NCU solidly ahead.
- Next was the infamous Samus ditto, where the superior bounty hunter was proven to be Holloway II when he took all three stocks while only dropping one of his own.
- Their Cloud came out next, losing one stock to Holloway II before finally ending his eight stock run.
- Jameson "jamo" Hawn went out to finish is off as Bowser, taking the final two stocks while only dropping one of his own.
Game 2: NCU - 12 MACU - 7
- Phillip "wtrPHILter" Graham went out first and faced off against their sepheroph. Graham worked his way through and came out with a JV3, giving NCU a strong start.
- After a short delay they sent out their Samus next. Graham made quick work of their first stock before dropping one of his own. After an SD by the Samus, Graham finished off the game with a sick b-air
- Next out was their PT, whose charizard finished off Graham, but not before dropping one of his stocks. Graham has a seven stock run.
- Foldhazi went out next and took the final two stocks off the PT without dropping one of his own.
- Their Cloud came back as their anchor, and after a close match came out with a single stock left from Foldhazi.
- Hawn went out next on Cloud and lost one stock to an SD before finishing out the game.
Recap written by
Rydon Foldhazi
Super Smash JV vs UW-River Falls (2-0 Defeat)
Game 1: NCU - 2 UWRF -12
Game 2: NCU - 0 UWRF - 12
- Despite some high damage and close calls, NCU could not secure any eliminations ending a quick series in UWRF's favor.
Valorant vs Fanshawe College (2-0 Defeat) - FULL RESULTS
Game 1 - Haven: NCU - 2 FC - 13
- The opening moves my Fanshawe would be difficult for NCU to counter with the only two rounds of the first game secured by NCU on defense before they losing on offense.
Game 2 - Lotus: NCU - 3 FUEL - 13
- NCU would struggle in their ability to keep space and with map awareness. They would still find the final 2 rounds on defense and one on offense before losing.
- Despite the poor match etiquette from FC, Austin "Mossed" Kimble would keep a level-head and put up a 100% KAST and be second on the leader board overall.
Valorant vs University of Akron (2-0 Defeat) - FULL RESULTS
Game 1 - Lotus: NCU - 3 Akron - 13
- NCU started the attack on the opening map against Akron but would play a slow game that allowed Akron to make quick adjustments and shut the team down in all but 3 rounds.
- Coming into the defensive half NCU would be unable to win their duels, losing the map 3-13
Game 2 - Bind: NCU - 0 Akron - 13
- Hoping to shake things up, NCU picked Bind but would still find difficulty cracking Akron's first line of defense. NCU would go home empty-handed.
Fortnite
NCU Fortnite competed in 2 qualifiers this weekend and would see improved performance from freshmen
Christian "waycool12" Berry and
Micah "mhumpa04" Humpa who would have their highest placement at 9
th during their first game on Saturday. Despite better performances all around from the NCU duos, all five would fall short of qualifying on either day ending their fall season.
Upcoming Schedule:
Monday 10/23
Rocket League vs Kettering University @ 6:00 PM
Wednesday 10/25
Valorant vs Texas A&M International University @ 8:00 PM
Thursday 10/19
Super Smash vs Buena Vista University @ 6:00 PM
Super Smash JV vs North Dakota State University @ 6:00 PM
Sunday 10/22
Valorant vs Carleton University @ 3:00 PM
All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams
Instagram,
Facebook, and
Twitter pages for all your esports and Rams Athletics information and news!
