October 17, 2023
MADISON, S.D. - The Dakota State University Trojans suffered a 3-0 loss to No. 1 Wayne State (Neb.) in the fifth week of Collegiate Champions League (CCL).
First Match
The first match showed a strong presence from both the Trojan and Wildcat defense. The match went into overtime with a 0-0 score. Zach Olson had the first possession kicking the ball downfield. The Wildcats recovered the ball pushing it back into Trojan territory. WSC took a shot at the top left of the Trojan goal but were blocked by Olsen.
A battle for possession of the ball continued between the Trojans and Wildcats in the midfield. WSC found an opportunity with the ball and approached the DSU goal. Finding an opening in the Trojan defense, the Wildcats took a shot but hit the top bar of the goal. WSC regained possession of the ball off the bounce, and took another shot at the Trojans goal. Alex Cuka defended the goal with a major block.
The Wildcats recovered the ball once again and made a rush against the Trojan goal. WSU took advantage of two Trojan players out of place and secured the first goal of the match, as well as the match victory 1-0.
Second Match
In the first three minutes of the match, the Trojans and Wildcats battled for possession in the midfield. WSC had the first opportunity of the match to set up a shot at the goal. DSU was out of place, allowing the first goal of the match to be awarded to the Wildcats.
Cody Farland took possession of the ball off the drop, sending a strong drive downfield towards WSC's goal. Passing it off to Cuka, all three Trojans crowded the Wildcat goal waiting for an opportunity to score. Two WSC players were drawn away from the goal, allowing Cuka to pass to Farland for a wide-open goal. DSU knotted the match at 1-1 with two minutes left in the match.
The Wildcats rallied at the next ball drop. Seizing an opening in the Trojan defense, they scored on the DSU goal for a 2-1 lead. The next minute of the match was a showdown in the midfield between the two teams.
WSC once again moved into position to score on the Trojans, pushing two players out of defense of the goal. The Wildcats made an attack on the Trojan goal pushing past solo defender Olsen for a score.
The Wildcats rallied once more with ten seconds left in the match, earning 4-1 match win and a second win in the best of three series.
Match Three
The Trojans attempted to build back momentum in the opening of the third set, thanks to Olsen scoring a goal within the first five seconds of the match. The Wildcats rallied with a quick attempt to tie up the score. hitting the top bar of the goal sending the action back to the midfield.
WSC's pursuit did not delay in retaking possession of the ball and reentering Trojan territory. Cuka and Olsen attempted to push off the Wildcat attack, leaving solo defender Farland just out of reach to stop the WSC goal (match score was tied at 1-1 with four minutes left).
Cuka picked up the next possession, rushing the ball downfield. A WSC defender found a position to stop Cuka, kicking the ball loose and back towards the Trojan goal. Another Wildcat player picked up control of the ball in front of the DSU goal, pushing the ball through Farland for a goal.
The next three minutes of the match the Trojans battled, moving the ball into position to score three more times, each time being blocked by the Wildcats. The Trojans made one more effort to tie the game with ten seconds remaining in the match.
Setting up Farland for one last attempt on the WSC goal, hitting the edge of the left goal bar as the timer hit zero. The Wildcats won the match 2-1 and secured the series win 3-0.
DSU's Rocket League plays next Sunday against South Dakota State University at 7 p.m.
