Minneapolis, MN -- North Central University (NCU) Super Smash had a more loaded schedule than normal as the teams played four matches in total. On Monday, Varsity Super Smash squared off with Ozarks Technical Community College in a battle that came down to the wire in each set. North Central walked away victorious, winning each game by just one stock. Then on Thursday, the team faced off against Wichita State University, but would be less fortunate as the Shockers came away with the 2-0 victory. JV Super Smash is still in search of their first win of the season after suffering a pair of losses to Maryville Academy and Olivette Nazarene University. 

Super Smash vs Ozarks Technical Community College (2-0 Victory)

Game 1: NCU - 12   OTC - 11   |   Game 2: NCU - 12   OTC - 11

NCU started out strong against Ozark Tech with Rydon "RjFx4" Foldhazi opening for the Rams, taking 6 stocks in the first game. From here, NCU would send out both Asher "bluewaras" Winter and Benjamin "BTGing" Piasecki before falling behind 8-9. The team's captain Phillip "wtrPHILter" Graham came out next, bringing OTC to their final player at the cost of just one stock. Despite starting the final battle 9-10, Graham would apply constant pressure causing his opponent to SD. The stress would prove to be too much for OTC and NCU would secure the first game.

Game 2 would see Piasecki open for the Rams. While NCU took another early lead, OTC would send out their strongest player on Samus. NCU struggled against the technical play until sophomore Todd "lucid" Holloway II stepped in. Despite the OTC Samus leading a majority of the duel, a hard read from Holloway II put NCU back in the game as he would take 1 more stock before falling. North Central, still behind 7-9, would send in Foldhazi who secured a comeback win for the Rams.


Super Smash vs Wichita State University (2-0 Victory)

Game 1: NCU - 9   WSU - 12   |   Game 2: NCU - 4   WSU - 12
 
Attempting a new strategy, the Rams sent Phillip "wtrPHILter" Graham out as the opener in this matchup against Wichita. Providing an early lead for NCU, he would take 4 stocks before eventually being eliminated. Next, Asher "bluewaras" Winter and Benjamin "BTGing" Piasecki would both take 2 stocks, but the combined two stocks left NCU behind. The momentum would prove to be too much for NCU and they went on to lose the first game by three stocks.

Following a more traditional strategy, Rydon "RjFx4" Foldhazi opened in game two. Ultimately, Foldhazi and Piasecki would be the only members of the team to take any stocks in the second game. Wichita State would hand North Central their second conference defeat on the year as the Rams currently sit at 2-2 in their division.


Super Smash JV vs Maryville Academy  (0-2 Defeat) | Game 1: NCU - 8   MA - 12   |   Game 2: NCU - 4   MA - 12

Super Smash JV vs Olivette Nazarene University (0-2 Defeat) | Game 1: NCU - 9   ONU - 12   |   Game 2: NCU - 4   ONU - 12

Thursday saw JV Super Smash compete in two back-to-back matches where the team showed strong starts earning 8 stocks in game 1 of the first series. Maryville made major adjustments in game two and eventually ran away with the series only allowing NCU 4 stocks. After a short break, the Rams would again start strong, this time taking 9 total stocks. Fatigue again would prove difficult for the JV squad who would again fall in series a sweep 0-2.


Upcoming Schedule:

Thursday 10/24
    Super Smash vs Minnesota State University - Mankato @ 6:00 PM
    JV Super Smash vs St. Cloud State Academy @ 6:00 PM
Saturday 10/26
    Fortnite at Playfly Split 2 Open 2 @ 2:00 PM

All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X) pages for updates on esports and all things NCU Athletics.