Photo by Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash

Valpo Stream

Hood Stream

(Edit 10/24/19 — this is the second to last match in the regular season, not the last match in the regular season)

On Monday, Valparaiso University lost 3–1 verses Hood College in the final game of the regular season for the first season of Rocket League in the National Association of Collegiate Esports.

The first match of the best of five contest saw Hood College win 1–0, the winning shot being an aerial shot by Natertot with almost three minutes left in the match.

While getting a few shots, Valpo was unable to sink any goals in the first match, though their defense proved strong as Hood was unable to make any more goals in the first match.

Valpo’s Kolerocks and Bebop37 both had 1 save to make a collective 2 saves for Valpo on the first match, while only Hood’s Natertot only had 1.

In the second match, Hood showed their strength quickly with IamBridge setting up a shot for Jesterality to pop it into the goal with 4:30 left in the match.

Valpo made their first goal of the night with a goal by Kolerocks assisted by Tascam. Tascam had a wide open shot, but Natertot quickly swooped in to block the shot, but fortunately for Valpo, Kolerocks was right there to get the assist and sink the first goal of the night for Valpo.

Momentum picked up for Valpo as they were able to tie it up 2–2 with a wide open goal with a powershot by Kolerocks.

Hood was able to get back into the game with a wall shot that resulted in a goal by Jesterality with Valpo’s Kolerocks bumping it in while unsuccessfully attempting to get the save.

Hood took the second win 3–2. Valpo fell behind Hood in all stats by one except for assists which Tascam lead the match in.

Valpo’s offense started strong with Kolerocks getting a powershot for a goal in the first twenty seconds of the match. The whole match was a shutout, the only match Valpo won in the series, 0–5. Kolerocks got all five goals for Valpo. This game showed off everything that Valpo had lacked earlier in the match.

They lost it in the last match with Hood winning 5–1. Valpo just falling apart against Hood after such a good showing.

Hood took the win of the whole series against Valpo 3–1. It was a particularly good showing by both teams, but Valpo just not able to pull it through. Valpo definitely has some issues that Hood has got down. Valpo lost control of the ball multiple times where Hood would have held control and have attempted a shot.

This gives Hood College some confidence heading into the post season and Valpo a busy week ahead of them to stay competitive in the coming weeks.