September 25, 2023
MADISON, S.D. - The Dakota State University Trojan Rocket League (RL) suffered a major setback in week two of CCL gameplay, losing the series 3-0.
The Trojans opened the scoreboard in the 2nd minute of the match when Cody Farland hit a half court goal. Omaha answered with two goal attempts which were deflected by Farland. The Mavericks continued to pressure the Trojan goal with a high corner shot which was aggressively blocked by Farland. Zach Olsen picked up the possession but was pushed off by a UNO defender, allowing the Mavericks an undefended attack on the Trojan goal with an assertive low right drive to tie the score at 1-1 with two minutes left in the match.
On the drop, Farland attempted to get first possession but was pushed off by a UNO's attacker, sending the ball out of possession to the right of the field where Olsen picked up the handle. Collin Bradberry attempted to pick up the assist but was shut down by the Maverick's defense.
The Trojans trailed 2-1 to Omaha with a minute remaining in the game. The Trojans quickly drove down field and attempted a goal to tie the game up, hitting a hard drive to the left top of the goal. However, Omaha hit a 'Hail Mary' block sending the ball flying to midfield. The possession was picked up by Farland who hit a massive push on the ball sending it right into the middle of the UNO goal, tying the match with only 20 seconds left.
Both teams had one more goal attempt trying to secure a quick win, but the match was sent into sudden death overtime. Forty seconds into overtime, Farland took the first goal attempt hitting the shot just high of the goal and turning the possession over to the Mavericks, who overtook the Trojan goal to earn the first match by the score of 3-2.
In the second match, the Mavericks came out with an immediate midfield attempt on the Trojans goal and were blocked by DSU's Farland. Omaha secured the first goal of the match with three minutes on the clock. Dakota State answered with a midfield possession battle with the Mavericks, which took place for another 30 seconds of the match. A high kick sent the ball to the ceiling of the field which was picked up by a UNO attacker with a direct shot at the Trojan goal to put the Mavericks ahead 2-0.
The Trojans went for more of a defensive play on the third drop of the game, rallying at their goal in an attempt to pull the Mavericks out of position and leave their goal exposed. Olsen saw an opportunity when all the UNO players were off set in the right field and made a center field attack, ensuring the Trojans a goal for the score of 1-2 with two minutes left in the match.
Olsen continued his crusade in the two-minute warning by pushing through the Omaha's defense with a high center push on the UNO's goal and tied the match at 2-2. The Mavericks came back in full force and crowed the Trojan's goal by hitting an attempt just high of the goal. DSU rallied and pushed the ball through pulling ahead once again with only a minute left in the match.
Dakota State would not accept defeat and quickly pushed the ball off of drop to the UNO goal with Olsen attempting a goal from the left field corner. UNO blocked the ball sending it to the right corner where Farland was waiting to ready for a secondary attack which pushed past the Mavericks defender for a 3-3 tie.
With 15 seconds left in the match, the Mavericks made on last attempt on the Trojan goal dribbling past two DSU's defenders taking the final point in the match for a 4-3 lead and a second win in the series.
Omaha's offense came to life in the third match, setting the pace early and scored four unanswered goals in the first two and a half minutes of the match. The Trojans continued to play catchup as in the latter half of the match, changing to a more defensive strategy, holding off the Mavericks' advance until the two-minute mark. Farland took a charge at the UNO goal, pushing directly past the goalie to get the Trojans on the board.
UNO secured another two goals over the Trojans with one minute in the match. Before Farland answered with a goal with only six seconds left in the match, resulting in a match loss of 7-2 and a series loss for the Trojans 3-0.
The Trojans are currently ranked fifth of eight in the Fall CCL Rocket League division. Farland leads the team with a total of nine goals, followed by Olsen with five goals, and Bradberry with four goals.
Up Next: The Trojans play against South Dakota School of Mines on Sunday evening at 7 p.m.
