It's not every day that one program gets THREE national championships appearances in a single academic year.
But the Ashland University Esports team has done just that.
On Wednesday, April 15, Ashland's Rocket League team captured the NECC Division 4 Regional Championship, defeating the University of Georgia in a seven-game series, to earn a trip to the national championship. The title adds to an already impressive haul this season, with national championships already coming in Hearthstone and CS2.
The win also carried added significance, it marks the program's first-ever trip to a national championship in Rocket League.
The championship roster featured Mason "Conspire" Foley, Cooper "Razerz" Goble, Liam "G7" Goodhart and Daniel "SilentWolf" McIninch. The group capped off a dominant run with an undefeated season, sealed by Wednesday night's performance.
When asked about the team's success, Director of Esports PJ Fiscus pointed to their commitment to improvement.
"The team has been doing a lot more replay/gameplay analysis," Fiscus said. "We had a review of a game vs. Cleveland State the night before, which really helped the boys lock-in on some bad habits that they fixed almost instantly. Couple that with the daily sessions they play, and daily practices, it's not surprise that they beat a good team like Georgia so definitively."
Fiscus also emphasized what the regional championship means for a young roster still finding its footing at the collegiate level.
"It shows and means so many different things, but above all, it shows the rapid improvement in a small amount of time," Fiscus said. "You look at Liam last year, when he is a walk-on freshman, and was undecided whether he wants to actually play Rocket League at all, and now he is an impressive Grand Champion II and climbing every day. Cooper was a walk-on sub and in all honesty skill-wise doesn't stack up to the three starters, and despite that, has not lost a single series he has subbed into and was the deciding factor in the undefeated season.
"It makes me so proud as a coach to see the unwavering dedication and commitment. It is only up from here."
The Eagles now shift their focus to the GLEC Conference Playoffs, where they'll face a higher level of competition.
"The job is definitely far from over," Fiscus said. "The team is traveling to South Bend, Ind. for the GLEC Conference Playoffs which is much harder competition, with the likes of Indiana Tech and Cleveland State. They also have NECC Division 4 Nationals in late April as well."
