2/13/23
 
SCRANTON, Pa. – Lackawanna College Esports Rocket League earned a split in doubleheader action on Monday evening, taking its NJCAAE opener over Wake Tech, 3-2 (3-2, 0-2, 7-2, 0-2, 5-0) before dropping its NACE match-up with Michigan Tech, 3-0 (5-2, 4-1, 5-3) later in the night.
 
NJCAAE: Lackawanna 3 – 2 Wake Tech (3-2, 0-2, 7-2, 0-2, 5-0)
Lackawanna College got its regular season in NJCAAE play off to an exciting start, going the distance against the Eagles from Wake Tech CC before taking the fifth and final game to pick up their first win in NJCAAE play.
 
Game one was a back-and-forth affair, with the Falcons eking out a 3-2 win to grab the advantage. Wake Tech was able to answer in game two with some extraordinary defensive rotations, while capitalizing on Falcon mistakes at the back for a 2-0 win, knotting the match at 1-all. Game three saw the Lackawanna offense come alive, as the Falcons woke up with some nifty passing combinations to pile up the points. Matthew Kelly (Jenkintown, PA; Gamertag: JKfoshizzle) scored a hat-trick in the third game, while Guadalupe Oca (Eagle Pass, TX; Gamertag: AyeOca) and Zakeree Chappa (Gamertag: zak.) each added two goals, apiece. The Falcons took a 2-1 match lead with the 7-2 victory in game three. Wake Tech responded with another defensive gem, this time putting pressure on the Falcons by forcing Lackawanna to defend the majority of game four. The Eagles put up nine total shots in the Falcons' defensive end, with two getting by the Lackawanna defense to give Wake a 2-0 game four win, knotting the match back up at 2-all and sending it to a fifth and final game. Lackawanna's offense clicked back into gear in game five, as the Falcons combined for 18 shots and put five in the back of the Eagles' net. Lackawanna turned the tables on Wake Tech, forcing the Eagles to defend for most of the fifth game, as the Falcons cruised to the 5-0 win to clinch the match and their first NJCAAE victory of the spring semester.  
 
NACE Starleague: Michigan Tech 3 – 0 Lackawanna (5-2, 4-1, 5-3)
Match two pitted the Michigan Tech Huskies up against Lackawanna in the second week of NACE Starleague Varsity Premier League play. Right off the bat in this best-of-five, the Huskies came out swinging and put up several quick goals. Michigan Tech put 13 shots in, scoring on five in the first game. The Falcons were able to answer with two goals of their own from Kelly and Oca, but the Huskies offense was too much as Tech took game one 5-2 for the 1-0 match lead. Game two was more of the same, the Huskies did not let off the throttle one bit. The Falcons' defense was able to keep the shot count down for Michigan Tech but ultimately, the Huskies were able to find enough holes in the Falcon defense to keep the momentum on their side, winning the second game 4-1 to take a commanding 2-0 match lead. The final game of the series was an all-out brawl with demolitions piling on from both teams. The Huskies were playing physical, but the Falcons were finally answering back. The brute gameplay from the Falcons was a new strategy, but even that could not help Lackawanna College gain an edge over Michigan Tech, which poured on another 13 shots on target, landing five goals, while the Falcons had to work hard for their own chances. The Falcons were able to find three goals late in the closing minutes of the match, but they couldn't prevent the Huskies from taking the 5-3 win and clinching the sweep at 3-0.
 
Lackawanna College now stands at 2-1 overall, with a 1-0 NJCAAE record and a 1-1 NACE record. The Falcons are back on stream next Monday, February 20^th, with another NJCAAE match-up. Be sure to tune into the Lackawanna College Esports Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all scheduling info for the Lackawanna College Esports Program!
 

Lackawanna College vs. Wake Tech CC
Player	Goals	Assists	Saves	Shots
Guadalupe "AyeOca" Oca IV	7	3	4	14
Matthew "JKfoshizzle" Kelly	4	6	4	24
Zak "zak." Chappa	4	3	5	9
Total	15	12	13	47

 

Game	Score
1	3 - 2
2	0 - 2
3	7 - 2
4	0 - 2
5	5 - 0

 

Lackawanna College vs. Michigan Tech University
Player	Goals	Assists	Saves	Shots
Guadalupe "AyeOca" Oca IV	2	0	4	10
Matthew "JKfoshizzle" Kelly	2	2	5	6
Zak "zak." Chappa	2	1	6	7
Total	6	3	15	23

 

Game	Score
1	2 - 5
2	1 - 4
3	3 - 5