KENOSHA – On Feb. 13, Carthage Red competed in their second week of NECC Division II – West B Rocket League action. The Firebirds faced Mount Union Purple, who played their first game this season. Carthage entered another best-of-seven endurance test, winning Games One and Two with brilliant offensive plays. Mount Union increased the pressure on Carthage by winning Game Three and forcing a scoreless Game Four overtime. The Firebirds found a way to win a pivotal Game Four but narrowly lost Game Five. The final match in the series resembled a chess match, with both teams trading goals until the Firebirds took a 3-2 lead and held off Mount Union from scoring in the final seconds.
Freshman Armando Hernandez (Mando), sophomore Penn Gilchrist (Pixlr), and junior Alex Vaile (Vaile) found themselves down one goal early after Mount Union flushed Penn out of his defensive position. As Game One continued, the Firebirds cleared the ball efficiently, buying time to develop a plan. With 2:45 remaining, Penn gained possession of the ball, and Armando read a bounce near Mount Union's net, tying the contest 1-1. Alexander, positioned on the right side, tried passing to Armando near midfield with 1:55 remaining. However, Mount Union disrupted the connection, leading to their second goal after Alexander and Penn were caught without boost. This prevented Carthage from defending their net in adequate time. Then, Alexander found a seam in Mount Union's defense that allowed him to center the ball, enabling Penn to ensure the game was tied at 2-2. With about 0:55 left, Mount Union put Carthage under pressure and regained the lead after Armando and Penn were low on boost, and Alexander missed the ball. Despite the ups and downs, the Firebirds did not give up. At the 0:35 mark, Penn won a contested hit and dropped the ball in center position where Armando scored a bounce shot for a 3-3 tie. Three seconds later, Alexander placed the ball down midfield into Mount Union's net following a successful kickoff. The score was 4-3, and Penn made it 5-3 after a zero-second goal.
For Games Two and Three, Carthage remained composed. They emerged from a 0-0 stalemate late in Game 2 after Armando, from midfield, lunged his car forward for a power shot between two Mount Union defenders with 2:37 to play. Mount Union responded with an air dribble, flushing Alexander out of his goalie spot for a 1-1 tie. With 30 seconds left, Carthage ventured into Mount Union territory, bumped their goalie, and set Armando up for a shot attempt from the right corner. Carthage led 2-1 and prevented Mount Union from forcing overtime after Alexander grounded the ball as time expired. In Game 3, the Firebirds held a 2-1 lead until the final two minutes. Defensive miscues shook their confidence, and Mount Union took advantage to win 3-2.
Game Four presented another scoreless battle, as both teams fought hard for a single goal—an important goal that would determine the series' latter stages. In overtime, Penn utilized the ceiling to his advantage as he read an awkward touch from Mount Union. About 52 seconds into overtime, Penn hit the ball up to himself and flew up to place the game-winning goal over two defenders. Game Five proved crucial for Mount Union. Down 3-1 in the series, the Raiders were motivated to make a comeback. Within the first three minutes, Carthage gained a 2-0 lead, with Alexander and Armando each scoring a goal. However, Mount Union began their comeback once Alexander committed two defensive miscues. Mount Union's first goal came with 1:57 to play after Alexander's hit caused the ball to stop in place. The second occurrence was Alexander losing a jump ball near his net. With the game tied at 2-2, Carthage would force overtime. After 40 seconds of contested shots in both directions, Mount Union's player, Thunder, executed a flip-reset near the bottom right corner of the Firebirds' net, which forced Penn to ricochet the ball awkwardly and moved Alexander and Armando out of position. The ball slid in, and Mount Union forced Game Six.
The final game was a thriller as Mount Union attempted their comeback. Both teams traded goals in the opening 40 seconds, creating a 1-1 score. By the 2:44 mark, Carthage and Mount Union exchanged goals again, leading to a 2-2 tie. With 1:05 left, the Firebirds found a weakness in the Raiders' defense. Penn placed a shot near the right post of Mount Union's net, forcing the Raiders into a difficult defensive position as Armando raced in like Usain Bolt to score what would be the series-winning goal for Carthage. Armando became the ultimate rebounder, scoring two crucial goals that decided Game 6 and secured the Firebirds' victory by bringing them to 2-0.
- Armando went 9/24, shooting 38% within the virtual soccer field, generating scoring opportunities.
- Alexander anchored the Firebirds' defensive pursuit with 14 total saves.
- Penn accumulated nine demolitions and four assists, which allowed Alexander and Armando to score in pivotal situations.
Statistics:
Mount Union Purple 12/47 (26%) - Shooting
Tkxanny: Six goals, one assist, 12 saves, 17 shots, six demos, 35% shooting percentage
ThunderRL: Four goals, three assists, eight saves, 18 shots, two demos, 22% shooting percentage
Pittygleege: Two goals, two assists, 13 saves, 12 shots, eight demos, 17% shooting percentage
Carthage Red 15/52 (29%) Shooting
Mando: Nine goals, three assists, seven saves, 24 shots, 8 demos, 38% shooting percentage
Pixlr: Three goals, five assists, 11 saves, 11 shots, nine demos, 27% shooting percentage
Vaile: Three goals, six assists, 14 saves, 17 shots, five demos, 18% shooting percentage
- Carthage Firebirds Red (2-0) will return to the Esports Arena on Feb 17 and compete against the Indiana Hoosiers (1-1) in a rescheduled off-stream Best-of-7 series. The Firebirds aim to stay undefeated in the Spring 2025 NECC Rocket League. To stay tuned for live updates, follow carthageesports on Facebook, Instagram, and X. To watch our live streams, follow us here: https://twitch.tv/carthageesports
