Seton Hall University's Rocket League Team Claims Big East Championship
Sunday, March 26th, 2023
Seton Hall Rocket League BIG EAST Champions
This past weekend, the Seton Hall Pirates Esports teams traveled to Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana to compete in the Esports BIG EAST Championship Tournament. Despite the home court advantage, Seton Hall's Rocket League team defeated the Butler Bulldogs capturing the BIG EAST title for the second year in a row.
Rocket League
Seton Hall University's Rocket League Esports team has claimed victory in the BIG EAST Championships. The Pirates began their journey with a bye and went on to defeat Xavier 3-1 before taking down the host, Butler University. The Bulldogs made a comeback from the lower bracket to face off against the Pirates in a best-of-seven match, but Seton Hall emerged triumphant with a historic 4-1 win in the finals.
The Rocket League team's achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, and staff involved. The team has spent countless hours perfecting their craft, and it’s clear that their hard work has paid off. Senior Joseph "LittleSheep95" Seibert-Arnold deserves special recognition for his impressive performance, stepping in as team captain Antonio "Tone" Riozzi was unable to play due to illness. Joseph played a crucial role in the team's run, making over 28 saves and 6 goals during his playoff run and quickly adapting to playing on a live stage alongside his teammates.
The Pirates' victory is a significant achievement for the Rocket League team as it ties them with their fellow League of Legends team with now two BIG EAST titles per team, a total of four for the program. In addition, the Pirates broke two records with Paulie "Stokelyy" Santoro completing the BIG EAST season with over 60 goals, 12 of those being made in their playoff run. Kevin "Froze" Minch ended the season with over 30 goals, together accounting for 75% of Seton Hall's goals this season.
The Seton Hall Rocket League Esports team proved to be a force to be reckoned with in the BIG EAST Championships, displaying a remarkable level of skill and teamwork throughout their journey to the championship title. The team's ability to come together and overcome adversity in the face of injury and illness is a testament to their resilience and determination. Rocket League will go on to compete in the EGFC Season 4 National Rocket League Championship on April 22nd as they seek to defend their National Championship Title.
League of Legends
League of Legends Teams Competing in the BIG EAST Championship
While the League of Legends team fell short to the Butler Bulldogs, the Pirates finished the regular season with a solid 4-3 record and advanced to the playoffs to face the host and 2023 BIG EAST Champion, Butler University. Despite a strong showing, Seton Hall lost both matches in the best-of-three series and came away empty-handed in the tournament. As a conference, the League of Legends playoffs were dominated by the miracle run of the fourth seed Bulldogs as they fought through and won series after series across eight hours of League of Legends play.
Seton Hall University has been committed to building a thriving esports program, and the ability to travel and return with another BIG EAST title speaks to the commitment of the University. The Seton Hall Rocket League Esports team's success will undoubtedly drive the growth and development of the program even further, and the competition has lit a fire in the League of Legends team to build and improve going forward. This in-person tournament is sure to serve as a source of motivation and inspiration for future players in Seton Hall's Esports program.
Categories: Science and Technology
