October 10, 2023
MADISON, S.D. - Dakota State (S.D.) extended their winning streak to two matches after a 2-0 sweep over the University of South Dakota.
First Match
The Trojans set an aggressive pace in the first match of the series with a quick dragon buff and pushing the USD players off of their towers. DSU continued a presence all over the map as they took another buff and a tower to to earn an 8-3 lead over the Coyotes.
Dakota State found a opportunity to destroy a second tower, opening the map up to move into an end match run for the Coyotes' Nexus.
The Trojans crowded the bottom lane in a charge on the Nexus, destroying the final inhibitors protecting the Nexus, finding a team ace in the mix. With no slowdown in sight, DSU finished off the match with a clean swipe securing the first match of the series.
Cobain Goehring led the Trojans with nine eliminations and five assists. Micah McRunnel added seven eliminations and five assists. Brock Zirpel registered with four eliminations and one assist. Kenneth Walker had two eliminations and 12 assists. Christian Lor continued with two eliminations and seven assists.
Match Two
DSU could not be slowed down in the opening of the second match with Goehring, securing the first USD's elimination of the match in the bottom lane, allowing for a massive push on the bottom towers.
The Coyotes made a mid-game comeback and eliminated three of the Trojans players. South Dakota secured a few key objectives on the map to allow the team to have some buffs going into the next section with a few minutes remaining in the match.
At the 13-minute mark, the Trojans found themselves in an abundance of battles throughout the map with both teams halting tower objectives. Goehring and Lor forced some momentum back onto DSU's side, eliminating Coyote defenses around the top and mid lane towers.
McRunnel led a charge on the mid-lane inhibitors and fell back to regroup before the team regrouped to take the baron. The Trojans allowed the team to reset and bombard the USD's home base, taking the final inhibitor and destroying the Coyotes' Nexus for a 2-0 series victory.
McRunnel paced the Trojans with 13 eliminations and ten assists. Zirpel added nine eliminations and six assists. Goehring had eight eliminations and six assists. Lor had seven eliminations and 13 assists. Walker had one elimination and 15 assists.
Trojan League of Legends will play next Monday against Augustana University (S.D) at 8 p.m.
