AU esports team captures Peach Belt Rocket League championship
By Noah Bowers | Sports writer
The AU Rocket League varsity team defeated Kennesaw State 4-1 in the finals of the Peach Belt Conference Championship in Florence, S.C. on Saturday, Oct. 28.
Compared to the rest of their season, this was the toughest matchup for the Jaguars. Even still, the team claimed victory and finished their first official season with a perfect 7-0 record.
Undefeated. Champions.
And the first AU sports title of the 2023-24 academic year.
The map scores were 2-1, 1-2, 1-0, 4-2, 3-1.
The lineup that made the journey consisted of team captain Jordan (jrdn.) Moratín, team coach Jacob (jacobisnerdy) LoRusso, and Zack (realpyeguy) Pye. LaRusso had been out of the lineup for a few weeks now, but his spirited performance helped lead the team all series.
“It was exciting and frightening” said LoRusso after the win. “My heart was racing and the nerves were definitely present, but I loved every moment of it and hope to be back up there next year.”
The Jaguars took care of business against the No. 2 seeded Owls in a series that was more competitive than the final score shows.
It was a war of attrition as defense was the name of the game for every map. Moratín led the team with 15 saves (six in Map 2, and four in Map 5), keeping the Jaguars ahead in vital moments throughout the series. LoRusso was the leading scorer with five goals, three assists, and 20 shots on net. The offensive numbers were underwhelming when compared to earlier games this season, but the production was still there. Pye had 14 shots on net while Moratín had 18 shots. Both only ended up with three goals each. The KSU defense showed why they had made it this far in the tournament.
Regardless, the Jaguars came out on top, as they had all season long. The journey so far has been quite the accomplishment for the brand-new program. The official grand opening of AU Esports was just last Monday, Oct. 23 and the Rocket League team has already brought home a championship.
“We have a great team and a bunch of awesome people who want to see the success of our program,” stated LoRusso regarding the team’s early success. “It’s heartwarming to know it means that much for a lot of the people and players to represent and be a part of our various esports teams.”
The match was streamed from the PBC’s own Twitch channel, so there is no current access to the video of the broadcast.
Up next for Rocket League, the junior varsity roster (3-1) played in the NACE Starleague bracket against the Missouri University of Science and Technology on Oct. 30.
For more information about the program and where to tune in, visit here: www.linktr.ee/aug_esports.
Contact Noah Bowers at nbowers@augusta.edu.
From right to left, AU’s Rocket League team members Jacob LaRusso, Jordan Moratin and Zack Pye en route to defeating Kennesaw State at the Peach Belt Conference Championship in Florence S.C. At the top of the page, from left to right, LaRusso, Moratin, and Pye hoist the championship plaque after their victory to finish their undefeated season. (photos by Josh LaFavor, special to the Bell Ringer)
