February 6, 2024
MADISON, S.D. - The Dakota State Trojans faced a setback in week one of the Collegiate Champions League (CCL) gameplay against North Dakota State University.
Rocket League
The Dakota State Rocket League (RL) team played against the Collegiate Champions League No. 1 seed, NDSU this past Sunday. The Trojans left off the fall CCL season ranked No. 4 in the league, winning a wild card slot into the finals.
The Bison opened the best of five series with a bang only allowing the Trojans two attempted goals during the first match. Zach Possin led the team with one save and one shot in the match.
The Trojans took a defensive stand against NDSU in the second match of the series. Attempting to protect the DSU goal Cody Farland registered two saves. Possin contributed two saves, and Alex Cuka supplied one save. However, the Bison continued a vicious attack, taking 11 attempts at the Trojan goal and securing four points in the process.
The Bison won the second match 4-0 over the Trojans and 2-0 in the series leading into the third match.
Possin attempted to rally for the Trojans in the third match, scoring the first goal for the Trojans in the series. NDSU showed no sign of slowing down and scored four points quickly in the final minutes of the match. The Bison won the final match 4-1 and won the series 3-0 over the Trojans.
Trojan Rocket League will play Sunday against Wayne State College at 7 p.m.
League of Legends
The Dakota State League of Legends (LoL) faced off against CCL's No. 2 NDSU Monday. The Trojans ranked No.1 in the Fall CCL Finals suffered a 2-0 shutdown from NDSU.
The Trojans struggled to find a foothold in the first match of the best of three series, falling behind the Bison after losing three drake buff opportunities within the match. NDSU continued to scale their characters past what the Trojans could handle. Trojan Micah McRunnel led the team with five eliminations and two assists in the match.
In the second match the Trojans rallied pulling some momentum back into their favor. The match started out hot fending off the Bison at towers and securing a few early eliminations. Cobain Goehring led the Trojans with five eliminations and three assists. Christian Lor registered four eliminations and five assists.
NDSU rallied and shut down the Trojans' run and pushed off the Trojans from three drake buff opportunities. The Bison won vital battles in the mid push of the match.
The Bison's advance proved too strong for the Trojans, and they cleared the DSU nexus by winning the series 2-0 over the Trojans.
McRunnel registered three eliminations and four assists. Kenneth Walker clocked one elimination and five assists, and Brock Zirpel added two eliminations and three assists to the Trojans overall elimination results of 25 eliminations in the series.
Trojan's Leage of Legends will play next on February 19 against Augustana University at 8 p.m.
