KENOSHA – On Feb. 6, Carthage Red defeated Davenport University White in its first week of Spring 2025 NECC Division II Rocket League. The momentum swung in both directions. Davenport shut out Carthage to begin the best-of-seven series. However, the Firebirds became tenacious and took advantage of the Panthers' miscues on offense throughout the next couple of games. While Davenport captured lighting in a bottle late, Carthage prevailed in clutch situations.
Freshman Armando Hernandez (Mando), sophomore Penn Gilchrist (Pixlr), and junior Alex Vaile (Vaile), started slow. In Game one, the Panthers shut out Carthage 2-0 after possessing the ball longer and executing six combined demolitions. This allowed Davenport to win in the numbers game and set up opportunities to pressure Carthage's net. Although Alexander, Mando, and Penn attempted to line up shots, Davenport's defense turned them away, saving the ball four times.
For Games two and three, Carthage Red identified a formula to minimize Davenport's momentum to overcome excessive demolitions once more. In Game two, Alexander scored (1:07), tying the game 1-1. Then Penn scored the winning goal (0:50), prompting a 2-1 victory. With full momentum, Carthage took Game 3 by two goals, for a 4-2 final. Starting with a 2-0 lead helped the Firebirds keep pace with Davenport's physical playstyle. Armando saved the ball three times and prevented the Panthers from catching up.
In Games four and five Carthage Red's mental state was tested. It started with a 4-0 shutout loss in Game 4. The Panthers controlled the field by forcing defensive miscues and stealing valuable boost away from the Firebirds – used to speed up their cars and pull off various in-air maneuvers. Game five saw Carthage start with a 2-0 lead. However, Davenport piled on the demolitions, suffocating the Firebirds on defense. During Game five, Davenport would score three goals within 1:55, after being down 2-0. With 0:40 left, the Firebirds started to lose traction. However, a defensive blunder from Davenport allowed Armando to score the game-tying goal with 0:17 left. Afterward, Carthage and Davenport engaged in a 1:08 overtime where Penn scored the game-winning goal after an awkward touch from the Panthers.
With Game six on the horizon, Carthage held a 3-2 series lead. The Firebirds needed one more win against a militant Davenport team. Another 2-0 start came Carthage's way. However, the Panthers boost-starved once more, leaving the Firebirds scrambling like chickens while attempting to clear shots away from their net. The score was 2-2 at the 0:20 mark. Armando possessed the ball in Carthage's half, drove up the field, lobbed a pass for Alexander, and secured a 3-2 lead with 0:18 remaining. To close the contest, Davenport scrambled offensively to get a logical shot attempt. However, the crossbar rejected it, and Penn disrupted the Panthers' offensive push. Alexander and Armando advanced the ball to Davenport's net and burned out the clock to win 4-2. Carthage advanced to 1-0 after persevering through 50 combined demolitions from the Panthers.
- Alexander and Armando each accumulated 11 saves respectively.
- Penn obtained 17 total demolitions against Davenport, disrupting their rhythmic team chemistry
- Alexander led the Firebirds with six goals, including three goals in a crucial Game four victory
Statistics:
Davenport White 14/47 (30%) - Shooting
Exiled: Six Goals, three assists, four saves, 17 shots, 21 demos, 33% shooting percentage
Giyu: Four Goals, two assists, five saves, 11 shots, 16 demos, 36% shooting percentage
Sixteen: Four Goals, three Assists, 11 Saves, 18 Shots, five demos, 22% shooting percentage
Carthage Red 13/42 (31%) Shooting
Vaile: Six goals, two assists, 11 saves, 18 shots, four demos, 33% shooting percentage
Pixlr: Four goals, five assists, five saves, 16 shots, 17 demos, 25% shooting percentage
Mando: Three goals, three assists, 11 saves, 8 shots, 8 demos, 38% shooting percentage
- Carthage Firebirds Red (1-0) will return to the Esports Arena on Feb 13 and take on Mount Union Purple (0-0). 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
