ATLANTA – Syracuse Rocket League (0-1) opened its PEC season with a 3-1 loss to West Virginia. The teams met in person, and the match lived up to its excitement.
 
How It Happened:
Syracuse Rocket League fell short in Game 1 of the best of five series, allowing a goal two minutes in and another a minute later. SU pushed to get back into the game, but the Mountaineers defense held strong and they took Game 1, 2-0. West Virginia carried the momentum from Game 1 into Game 2 quickly taking a 3-0 lead shutting down any chances SU could create. Syracuse was able to find the back of the net with a beautiful setup from Matthew Russell (LIessuR) to give Gabriel Goodwin (Ga.Baby) a wide open shot. West Virginia won Game 2 5-1 and needed just one more win to take the match Syracuse responded in Game 3, a defensive battle that stayed scoreless until 1:22 remained. At that point Russell pre-jumped a clearance from West Virginia and stuffed the ball past a defender to give SU a 1-0 lead. The Orange doubled its lead with 44 seconds left when Goodwin finished off an aerial goal with an assist from Russell. West Virginia responded quickly, scoring eight seconds later to keep the match alive, but Syracuse came out on top winning Game 3, 3-1. The hope for a comeback died quickly with West Virginia scoring two goals in 18 seconds in Game 4. Game 4 ended 4-1 and Syracuse Rocket League officially lost its first PEC match vs West Virginia.
 
Up Next:
Syracuse Rocke League's loss gave West Virginia a 2-1 lead in the overall matchup, putting the week in the hands of the Super Smash Bros. team. Syracuse can split the week 2-2 with a win at 8 p.m. tonight in Marley Auditorium. The match is also the season's first Syracuse Esports Homestand, with giveaways throughout the night and SU swag for everyone in attendance. Admission is free for all Syracuse University students, and seating is first-come, first-served, so arrive early. The stage will be rocking for this one. The match will also stream live on Twitch and YouTube.

Socials: For more information on Syracuse Esports, visit SUesport/home. Fans of the Orange can follow @cuseesports on Instagram, X and Facebook.