12/30/23

SCRANTON, Pa. -- As we approach the end of 2023, Lackawanna College Athletics is reflecting on the top moments from the 2023 athletics calendar, and revealing them one day at a time between now and the new year! 

Today's top event comes to us from the world of Esports, where Lackawanna College made history!

#2: Lackawanna College Esports Rocket League Wins Back-To-Back NJCAAE Championships
Lackawanna College has plenty of athletics excellence and achievements throughout its history. But one thing that has eluded the Falcons has been a national championship. Both men's and women's basketball have come close, with men's basketball falling in the national title game in 2002, and women's basketball making the national tournament several times. Football, of course, had two straight unbeaten regular seasons that culminated in the 2019 National Championship game against Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, but ultimately fell short. Baseball has made several runs to the NJCAA DII World Series, and softball has a few appearances, as well. But, for all the success, there hadn't been a national championship in the school's history.

That changed in 2023, as the newest member of the Lackawanna College Athletics family, the Esports program, put up back-to-back national tournament championships, winning the NJCAAE Rocket League crown in both the Spring 2023 and Fall 2023 semesters. 

The Falcons, brought to existence back in 2018, immediately began flourishing and competing on the national stage in several games, but Rocket League has taken off as the "sport" where the Falcons shine. In the spring semester, the Falcons were 6-1 in the regular season, then went on an undefeated run through the NJCAAE Invitational tournament in the postseason, winning a five-set thriller against Northern Virginia CC to capture the first NJCAAE championship in program history. Guadalupe Oca (Eagle Pass, TX), Matthew Kelly (Jenkintown, PA), and Zakeree Chappa were the team-members who made it happen. Those three teammates gave the Falcons a fluid, fast-paced style, relying on quick passes and pressure to overwhelm their opponents, while pressing high on defense. 

Fast forward to the fall semester, where the Falcons returned Oca and Kelly, but were left scrambling to find a third just as the season got under way. Jakob Seamans (Peckville, PA), already a student at the College, was recruited to play and join the Falcons as they pursued another shot at a championship. Seamans gave the Falcons another player to score and create, and AyeOca, Jkfoshizzle, and Jakob went on a tear through the NJCAAE season, going 13-1 overall, and going undefeated through the entire course of the playoffs. After a dominant showing in the East Super Regional grand final against Wake Tech CC, the Falcons took part in the NJCAAE National tournament, winning their first two round match-ups, then taking down Wake Tech CC in the winners' bracket championship. That set up the National Championship match between the Falcons and the winner of the consolation bracket, which turned out to be Wake Tech CC once more. The Falcons and the Eagles played a tight match, with two games going to sudden-death overtime, but the Falcons prevailed 3-0, clinching the game on a glancing shot across the net from Oca's car deep into overtime, giving Lackawanna back-to-back championships. 

It was a thrilling conclusion to a wild 2023 for Lackawanna College Esports, and has given the Falcons hunger to not only seek a third-straight Rocket League title, put also pursue national titles in the other games the Falcons compete in, as well. 

Here's hoping the Esports success is the catalyst to a dynasty starting at Lackawanna College. 

Top 14 Moments Of 2023 For Lackawanna College Athletics  
14) Lackawanna Softball and Ally Lemerise's Big Week
13) Paserk, Riddick, and Rush Highlight All-Academic Selections
12) Colonel Volk Day At Football Homecoming
11) Lackawanna Esports Raises $12K For Charity
10) Kyle Scott and Ji'Ayir Brown Drafted
9) Worthy, Walsh, and Collins Lead The NJCAA
8) McCarry, Morgan, and Gabriel Win Coach Of The Year Awards
7) Four Student-Athletes Named As NJCAA Player Of The Week
6) Ramírez, Walsh Win Region POTY, Mims Wins EPAC POTY
5) Wrestling Goes Unbeaten, Wins Three District Titles, Qualifies Six For Nationals
4) Mark Duda Secures His 200th Career Win    
3) Lackawanna College Women's Volleyball Wins The Region XIX Championship
2) Lackawanna College Esports Wins Back-To-Back NJCAAE Championships
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