KENOSHA — In the wake of a new competitive year, Carthage Esports had its first taste of Fall 2025 competition. The Super Smash Bros, Rainbow Six Siege, Rocket League, and Overwatch 2 teams battled in NECC placement tournaments. 

NECC Placement Tournament Explanation

According to the NECC's 2025-26 rulebook, placement tournaments exist to "help NECC staff determine which division to place teams in for the regular season…using other available information." The NECC adds, "placement tournament results will have no bearing on the team's regular season record." In simpler terms, NECC placements can be viewed as an organized preseason competition. A time for teams to work on their strategy and test their coordination before regular-season gameplay.

NECC Placement Tournament Recap (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)

First, Super Smash Bros Ultimate kicked off the Fall 2025 season. Over the summer, the team lost sophomore Jackson Bossart (MechanicalMerlyn) and senior Will Stevens (LunarSynergy). Thus, Carthage created an expanded roster to field one team. Despite this change, Carthage has retained two core pieces in junior Alex Chuluunbat (ParaMedix) and senior captain Connor Grubisic (Spacefood).

On Tuesday, Sept.16, Carthage participated in the NECC's Rushdown Placement Tournament. The format included two Best-of-One matches. Crew battles are a team-based competition where two teams of players face off in a series of one-on-one matches. The losing player is eliminated, and the winning player remains in the game, potentially facing a new opponent from the opposing team. The battle continues until one entire team has been eliminated.

Match one came against Minot State Red. Alex Chuluunbat claimed four stocks while using Bowser before being eliminated. Next, Connor Grusibic entered the fray while using Samus. In his run, Grusibic was not eliminated during the best-of-one. Instead, he claimed eight stocks for the Firebirds, leaving himself with one final stock before knocking out Minot State. A defining win for Carthage thanks to their veteran core.

In their final match, Carthage took on UW-Stevens Point Black. Then starter, now former player, Caitlyn Kienast (PreciousSpong52) got to start. In their run, Kienast claimed all 12 stocks of UW-Stevens Point Black while wielding King Dedede, a character synonymous with the Kirby franchise. An excellent performance that gave Carthage a 2-0 record in the Rushdown Placement Tournament. A great vibe set before the regular season kicks off.

Player Comments (Alex Chuluunbat): "I think we did well. Caitlyn did an amazing job of going 12-2 [against UW Stevens Point]. I don't think there was anything else we could have done better."

NECC Placement Tournament Recap (Rainbow Six Siege)

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, Carthage R6 had their Jager Placement Tournament against the Minnesota State Mavericks and the University of Northern Alabama. 

Carthage has seen roster turnover in recent months. The team lost Kael Brennan (KBStater) and Jaxon Hafenbreadl (JDHAF3N), but retained sophomore captain Samuel Bergamo (Scorp), sophomore Chris Vallee (Typhoon), and junior Jalyn Green (Astro). After a rough Spring 2025 campaign (3-4 in NECC and 1-7 in Midwest R6), the team is looking to establish great chemistry. 

Carthage opened the night on attack against Minnesota State in a close 7-5 defeat. The Firebirds started slowly, dropping the first two rounds, but rallied to tie the match 3-3 at the half. Minnesota then surged ahead on attack, exploiting Carthage's defensive setups to reach match point at 6-3. Refusing to go quietly, Bergamo led a late comeback as the Firebirds secured two crucial defensive rounds to make it 6-5. However, the Mavericks held firm in Round 12 to close out the win.

Lastly, Carthage R6 took on the University of Northern Alabama Lions in a best-of-one match. We return to Clubhouse, where the Firebirds started on defense. However, Northern Alabama operated a high-powered attacking scheme that made Carthage struggle to adapt. Within nine rounds, the Lions won 7-2. The Firebirds went 0-2 in their Placement Tournament.

With more time to practice and refine strategies, the Firebirds look to sharpen their teamwork and resilience. Samuel Bergamo finished with a 15-14 K/D across both matches. Jalyn Green finished 8-14, Chris Vallee with 8-18, followed by newcomers Major Andrews (AirMajor) - 14-15 and Rey T. (Paltry) - 12-13. 

Player Comments (Samuel Bergamo): "While we weren't able to pull off a win, I still believe our performance shows a lot of confidence. Even with a new team composition, we show promise along the way. In the coming weeks, we will learn how to improve and win future matches."

NECC Placement Tournament Recap (Rocket League)

Alongside Rainbow Six, Rocket League had three teams compete in placement tournaments on Wednesday, Sept. 17: Red, Black, and White. All three teams have newly configured rosters. Red includes senior captain Alexander Vaile (Vaile), freshman Owen Perry (Kor), and freshman Kyle Branksi (xray). Black includes senior captain Tanner Lee (Flare), junior Lucas Menzar (Joystik), and junior Penn Gilchrist (Pixlr). White includes junior captain TJ Buchmann (Blasecupid), sophomore Kaliek Wade (Akko), and freshman Jimmy P. (ItsSlurp17).

Carthage Red competed in three matches within the Fennec Placement Tournament. First, Red defeated SE Oklahoma by a 3-2 series score. SE Oklahoma took Game One 2-0. However, the Firebirds would win the next two (5-1 and 4-3), drop Game Four 6-5, and then take Game Five 2-0.  Next, Carthage Red were victims of a 3-0 sweep by Cumberland Phoenix. They lost Game One 5-1, followed by narrow losses in Games Two and Three (3-2 and 2-1, respectively). Lastly, Carthage Red finished the night off with a monumental 3-2 series win against Davenport University Red. A 1-0 score difference decided every game in the best-of-five. A true defensive battle with persistent offense when the option was available. 

Player Comments (Alex Vaile): "We were proud of our results and did well when the series started. We have to keep working on our ability to close out series quickly. However, we are happy with how we are improving as a team." 

Next, Carthage Black competed in the Takumi Placement Tournament. First, Black fell 3-1 against Illinois State University (ISU) White. Carthage Black secured Game One with a 1-0 win. However, ISU would hold out on defense to take Games Two through Four with a 1-0 victory in each of them. Next, Carthage Black defeated the University of Arkansas (UARK) Red 3-1. Carthage Black scored 23 goals across the series. Seven of those came in a Game One shutout. Another seven came in Game Two, winning by two over UARK Red. The Firebirds lost Game Three 5-4, but retaliated with a 5-0 win in Game Four to claim the series. To end the night, Carthage Black earned a forfeit win over ISU White.

Player Comments (Tanner Lee): "What I love about this team is we are all comfortable with talking about things we may need to correct. The team started a bit slow [against Illinois State]…and dropped the series because we played too tight. We played our second series [UARK Red] with the foot on the gas, and the result showed. Placements were a good tune-up to help us get into a competitive mindset for matches going forward."

Lastly, Carthage White had two scheduled matches in the Takumi Placement Tournament. Their first match against Kansas State University JV was canceled due to a forfeiture. The Firebirds then took on Illini Esports Black. White came out with a gritty 3-2 series win. In Game One, Carthage led 5-0 until the Illini made the final score closer at 5-4. Then, Illini Black scored five unanswered goals to take Game Two. Illini claimed Game Three after winning 2-1. Across Games Four and Five, Carthage White outscored Illini Black 9-3 (4-1 in Game Three, and 5-2 in Game Four) to win the series.

Player Comments (TJ Buchmann): "Although White got a forfeit win in our first match, our second match against KSU JV proved to be pivotal by winning the series 3-2 after a huge Game Five win. We struggled to play up to our level until a match-losing scenario occurred; we clicked and were able to dominate. Especially after going on a -9 goal run in Games One and Two against KSU JV." 

NECC Placement Tournament Recap (League of Legends)

League of Legends competed in two placement matches on Thursday, Sept. 18. They competed against the University of Central Oklahoma JV and Emporia State University Gold. Matches were best-of-one and were handled comfortably by the Firebirds. Thus, a 2-0 record was prompted.

Player Comments (Quentin Zeller): "We dominated both matches and controlled all facets cleanly. The one takeaway is how to improve communication in the future to limit midgame mistakes."

NECC Placement Tournament Recap (Overwatch 2)

For Overwatch 2, Carthage Red and Black both competed in Placement Tournaments on Friday, Sept. 20. Both teams have undergone roster changes, too. Red's changes include swapping graduated senior Odin Rivera (Shinbone) and sophomore Jenasia Johnson (DVAOnline) for junior Ethan Anderson (Snowstorm14) and freshman Adam Hollis (Hollister09). Carthage Black has undergone various changes. One change includes Ethan Anderson becoming a captain. 

Starting with Carthage Red, they competed in three placement matches. First, a 2-1 series win against Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Next, Red took on the Doane University Tigers in what was a close 2-1 series. However, Carthage fell short. To end their evening, Red fell short against MTSU by a 2-1 score. Although a 1-2 record was granted, Red kept things close against their opponents.

Player Comments (Joy Schultz): "Overall, all the games were quite close. Even though we played without our full roster, we played well and I think we will make a good match in the NECC games this semester. As a team we are dive oriented but with some practice on other comps, we will do just fine as the meta shifts."

Carthage Black also competed in three placement matches. First, Iowa Western earned a 2-1 series win against Carthage Black. Next, the team was set to face Union Commonwealth University (UCU) Bulldogs until a forfeiture occurred. Black's final game was against Concordia St. Paul Gold. A gritty 2-1 series win was claimed after winning the Control and Flashpoint game modes.

Player Comments (Jesse R.): "Overwatch black did a phenomenal job on Friday. We demonstrated what we learned from both practices and scrimmages to use in a real high-stakes game. Besides a rough start in the beginning, we stuck together and pushed through and had an amazing match against Concordia, winning on map 3. Black will keep getting better and stronger throughout the season."

Carthage Esports will begin the Fall 2025 NECC regular season starting this Tuesday, Sept. 23rd, with a Super Smash Bros livestream. On Wednesday, Sept. 24, Rainbow Six Siege will be livestreamed. To wrap up the week, Overwatch 2 will be livestreamed on Friday, Sept. 26. Follow us on all social media platforms (@carthageesports) to stay updated. Follow our Twitch channel to get notifications when broadcasts go live.

Additionally, Carthage's NECC schedule can be viewed here so you can always catch up on what teams are competing weekly during the Fall 2025 season.