AU Rocket League is finals-bound; Esports Arena has grand opening
By Noah Bowers | Sports writer
The Augusta University Rocket League team put together one of its most dominant showings in an already incredible season against the University of South Carolina at Aiken on Oct. 22 in the Peach Belt Conference semifinals.
The Jaguars won 3-0 on their way to the grand finals in Florence, S.C., where they will play Kennesaw State University on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 3 p.m.
The map scores were 8-0, 8-0, 6-1. Light work.
The Jaguars played USC Aiken earlier this season, and the results were more of the same. AU previously won 3-0, but the map scores were not nearly as lopsided. The same roster was in rotation, except now the players have had many more weeks of practice and game time together. The improvements and chemistry were on full display for all three maps.
Zack (realpyeguy) Pye led the team with a season-high nine goals, six assists, and 18 shots on net, by far his most complete performance of the season. Not to be outdone, Carson (Carsinho) Berry was step for step with seven goals (also a season-high), six assists and 13 shots. Captain Jordan (jrdn.) Moratin rounded out the winning formula with six goals, four assists and four saves.
The Pacers were no match for the offense of the Jaguars, which was evident in the stat sheet, but the gameplay itself showed how large the skill gap can be in Rocket League. The differences in mechanics, team strategy and execution are what separate the good teams from the great.
The following day, the Rocket League and Valorant team were officially announced to the public at the AU Esports Grand Opening at the Georgia Cyber Center. The event unveiled the brand new next-generation Esports Arena where the teams will compete and expanded student interest for the future of the program.
Students were greeted with gaming stations, esports branded T-shirts, photo booths and a new community of others passionate about gaming. There were more than 330 attendees and appearances from Provost Neil MacKinnon, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Colin Stewart and Vice President of Enrollment of Student Affairs Susan Davies.
Augustus the Jaguar himself stopped by, dressed in the latest AU Esports merch. The live broadcast featured interviews with the students and faculty involved with the creation of the program. It was streamed from the new official Twitch channel, where future esports competitions will be located for all Jaguar fans.
It is safe to say the new program is off to a rousing success, but now it’s up to the AU Rocket League roster to finish the job and bring home the trophy on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 3 p.m.
To learn more about the program and join the growing student community, join the official Discord server here: https://discord.gg/auesports.
For all future live broadcasts, tune official in to the official Twitch Channel here:
https://www.twitch.tv/augustauniversity_esports.
Contact Noah Bowers at nbowers@augusta.edu.
The AU Rocket League team remained undefeated with the win over USCA and advanced to the PBC final against Kennesaw State. (photo by Noah Bowers) At the top of the page, AU Provost Neil MacKinnon (R) tries out the new Esports Arena in the Georgia Cyber Center. (photo by T.K. Guerrero)
