KENOSHA, Wis. — Carthage Esports concluded its Fall 2026 Wisconsin Esports Conference (WEC) Week Seven matches on Friday, Nov. 6, due to a rescheduled match. As the regular season came to a close, RL Red successfully clinched an undefeated 7-0 season, RL Black (6-1) won its second straight match after dropping to 4-1, and Marvel Rivals finished 4-3 following a tough Week Seven loss.

The RL Red, RL Black and Marvel Rivals are all preparing for postseason action. This Fall 2026 WEC Week Seven recap complements yesterday's Week Six release because of a late release window. We wish to thank everyone who supported our teams in any way during the Fall 2026 WEC regular season.

In particular, RL Red and RL Black are primed to qualify for the Fall 2026 WEC Southeast Regional LAN event. This year, it will take place at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Union, Recreational Center — Esports Lounge, from Saturday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 15. WEC Communications has created a Canva slideshow detailing all event information.

Conversely, Marvel Rivals will participate in online playoffs, starting with the quarterfinal round on Wednesday, Nov. 11. If Firebirds Rivals advances, a semifinal match will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Lastly, the Fall 2026 WEC Marvel Rivals finals will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 2, one week after a conference-wide Thanksgiving break. All important dates for the Fall 2026 WEC regular season and playoffs are located here.

Fall 2026 WEC Week Seven Recap: Carthage RL Red (7-0) vs. UW-Stout Varsity Blue (5-2)

Series Score: Carthage Red 3, UW-Stout Blue 0
Carthage RL Red battled through a rescheduled, off-stream, best-of-five series against UW-Stout Varsity Blue on Friday, Nov. 6. Despite the date changing from Monday to Friday, the result did not change, as Firebirds Red showed up and handled business. For the seventh straight week, they swept an opponent 3-0. Their latest showcase came against a Blue Devils team that entered with a 4-2 overall record and a 15-4 game record. With an undefeated season, Carthage RL Red (7-0, 21-0) comfortably secured the No. 1 spot out of 28 teams in the Fall 2026 WEC Rocket League regular-season standings.

Throughout the Fall 2026 WEC Rocket League regular season, Firebirds Red defeated the following teams:

• Ripon College Varsity Black (2-5, 6-15)
• UW-Eau Claire Varsity Gold (2-5, 10-17)
• UW-Milwaukee JV Gold (3-3, 12-10)
• Marquette University Varsity Navy (4-3, 14-13)
• Carthage RL Black (6-1, 18-7)
• UW-Milwaukee Varsity Black (4-2, 13-7)
• UW-Stout Varsity Blue (5-2, 15-7)

With a strong résumé, Firebirds Red are prepared for playoff competition. Teams are listed in descending order from Weeks One through Seven.

Carthage RL Red's roster features a sophomore trio consisting of captain Owen Perry (Kor), Kyle Branski (xray) and Jimmy Prims (ItsSlurp17, also known by his in-program nickname, ThePrimReaper). Throughout this best-of-five series, Firebirds Red faced Alpharay, Bob and TraeWae from UW-Stout Varsity Blue.

Game One ended with a 3-0 Firebirds Red victory. After a 2:50 defensive struggle, Branski scored the game's first goal off a timely assist from Perry. With nearly 1:30 left to play, Branski scored again off a pass from Prims, increasing Carthage's lead to 2-0. With just over a minute remaining, Prims scored a goal of his own off a pass from Branski following a routine kickoff. Although Alpharay, Bob and TraeWae combined for six saves and six shots on net, it was not enough to keep pace with Firebirds Red, who recorded 11 total shots.

To keep their momentum going, Carthage took Game Two by a 4-2 score. UW-Stout started strong offensively after Alpharay threaded the needle about 1:32 into the game off a well-placed pass from Bob. However, the Blue Devils were stymied for the remainder of the game, managing just two shots on net following Alpharay's score. Firebirds Red's scoring spree started 3:40 into Game Two. Branski recorded a hat trick, while Prims added a goal of his own. Perry assisted on two of Branski's three goals. Before time expired, Alpharay scored his second goal, cutting the deficit to two and gaining some momentum heading into Game Three. In the end, Carthage recorded 11 shots as a unit, while the Blue Devils were held to just three.

To put a stamp on the series, Carthage secured a 1-0 Game Three victory. Branski scored the lone goal at the 2:26 mark, assisted by Perry. Overall, Firebirds Red recorded 10 shots on net compared to the Blue Devils' five. Before Branski scored, UW-Stout managed just one shot on net. After he scored, the Blue Devils recorded four more shots, none of which found the back of Carthage's net.
As a unit, Carthage RL Red led in the following major statistical categories: goals (8-2), assists (6-1), shooting percentage (25% to 14%) and demolitions (20-13). Individually, Branski led the team with six goals. Perry topped the team with four assists, while Prims recorded the most saves with four.

Final Fall 2026 WEC regular-season player stats: Carthage RL Red

• Owen Perry (Kor): 40 goals, 25 assists, 24 saves, 106 shots, 25 demolitions, 38% shooting
• Kyle Branski (xray): 37 goals, 25 assists, 23 saves, 80 shots, 31 demolitions, 46% shooting
• Jimmy Prims (Slurp): 24 goals, 22 assists, 22 saves, 76 shots, 22 demolitions, 32% shooting

Carthage RL Red (7-0, 21-0) will prepare for the Fall 2026 WEC Southeast Regional LAN at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Union, Recreational Center — Esports Lounge, from Saturday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 15.

Fall 2026 WEC Week Seven Recap: Carthage RL Black (6-1) vs. UW-River Falls (UWRF) Falcons Varsity Red (4-3)

Series Score: Carthage Black 3, UWRF Red 2
Carthage RL Black completed an off-stream, best-of-five series against the UWRF Falcons Varsity Red on Monday, Nov. 2. Unlike the Week Six sweep against Beloit College Buccaneers Varsity Gold, Firebirds Black were pushed to the limit against the Falcons. With this hard-fought series win, Carthage RL Black (6-1, 18-7) secured the No. 2 spot out of 28 teams in the Fall 2026 WEC Rocket League regular-season standings. Their only loss came against Carthage RL Red (7-0, 21-0) during a Week Five showdown.

Carthage RL Black's roster consists of senior captain Penn Gilchrist (Pixlr), senior Lucas Menzer (Joystik) and junior Kaliek Wade (Akko). Throughout the best-of-five series, Firebirds Black competed against Dalo, Schadow and Teague from UWRF Falcons Varsity Red. Dalo is an alumnus of the Wisconsin High School Esports Association (WIHSEA).

UWRF started strong with a 4-2 Game One victory. Within the opening minute, Falcons Red and Firebirds Black traded goals as Dalo and Gilchrist each found the back of the net. From there, however, UWRF scored three unanswered goals — two by Dalo and one by Schadow. Additionally, Schadow assisted on both of Dalo's goals. Before time expired, Gilchrist scored to cut the deficit to 4-2. Although Carthage recorded more shots (11-5), UWRF's defense cleared the ball efficiently, made five total saves and relied on Dalo's accurate shooting to secure the win.

Game Two resulted in a 3-1 Falcons Red victory after the team established a 3-0 lead. Picking up where he left off in Game One, Dalo scored first at the 3:32 mark. Following the early lead, the Falcons Red defense held firm, clearing Carthage's shots and disrupting passing setups. This allowed UWRF to add two more unanswered goals, both scored by Schadow and assisted by Teague. To prevent a shutout, Menzer scored before time expired. Firebirds Black outshot UWRF 5-4 but could not break through the defense.

With a 2-0 deficit, Falcons Red were well on their way to sweeping Firebirds Black. However, Carthage took Game Three with a 3-2 overtime win. Unlike Games One and Two, Firebirds Black opened with a scoring advantage. With 2:17 remaining, Menzer scored Carthage's first goal. Shortly after, Gilchrist extended the lead to two. However, UWRF's offense came alive when it mattered most. Dalo and Schadow scored back-to-back goals before time expired. With the game tied at 2-2, both teams were headed to overtime. Instead of a UWRF sweep, Gilchrist and Menzer gained possession after winning a contested kickoff battle and combined for the game-winning goal in 23 seconds. Gilchrist set up a well-executed pass to Menzer, who finished the play with a shot.

Game Four ended with a 3-2 Carthage win after a regulation shootout. At the 3:30 mark, Schadow and Wade each scored for their respective teams. Then, with two minutes remaining, Gilchrist and Dalo combined to tie the game at 2-2. With plenty of time remaining, Menzer took his time and scored the game-winning goal. With a 3-2 lead, Carthage's defense held UWRF back, allowing Firebirds Black to tie the series at 2-2. Both teams recorded eight shots on net, but Menzer proved to be the deciding factor.

To conclude the series, Carthage secured a 6-3 Game Five win. By the 3:00 mark, Firebirds Black had established a 3-0 lead. Gilchrist, Menzer and Wade each scored once. Around the midway point, Falcons Red attempted to mount a comeback as Dalo and Teague scored. However, Menzer found the net for his second goal during the same stretch to maintain a 4-2 lead. In the final minutes of Game Five, Gilchrist and Menzer recorded insurance goals, extending the lead to 6-3. Between Carthage's final scores, Teague found the net for a second time. Much like Game Four, Menzer played a major role in Game Five, going 3-for-4 on shots while recording two assists and four saves. His all-around performance helped Firebirds Black secure a reverse sweep against UWRF.

As a unit, Carthage RL Black led in the following statistical categories: goals (15-14), assists (11-8) and demolitions (19-15). Despite losing the shooting percentage battle (48% to 36%), Firebirds Black came through when it mattered most, including Game Three's overtime finish and Game Four's regulation win. Individually, Menzer led the team with six goals. Menzer and Wade tied for the team lead with four assists. Lastly, Menzer recorded the most saves with six.

Final Fall 2026 WEC regular-season player stats: Carthage RL Black

• Kaliek Wade (Akko): 32 goals, 20 assists, 32 saves, 78 shots, 81 demolitions, 41% shooting
• Lucas Menzer (Joystik): 28 goals, 24 assists, 46 saves, 64 shots, 45 demolitions, 44% shooting
• Penn Gilchrist (Pixlr): 18 goals, 16 assists, 32 saves, 61 shots, 28 demolitions, 30% shooting
• Ben Lagerhausen (Cosmic): 10 goals, five assists, zero saves, 25 shots, eight demolitions, 40% shooting

Player Reflection: Lucas Menzer

"Compared to Midwest Collegiate Rocket League [MCRL] and the National Esports Collegiate Conference [NECC], the WEC has been a little bit easier for us competition-wise. Because there is only one division, the quality of opponents varies drastically from week to week. Our relatively dominant 6-1 record proves this, as all but one of our matches were not close. Our only loss came against none other than the glorious Carthage Red. Even looking back to the first week, when Akko and I teamed with Cosmic, we still found success while playing with our substitute. With the regular season concluded, I look forward to facing stronger teams at the Regional and State LANs for WEC in the coming weeks."

Carthage RL Black (6-1, 18-7) will prepare for the Fall 2026 WEC Southeast Regional LAN at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Student Union, Recreational Center — Esports Lounge, from Saturday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 15.

Fall 2026 WEC Week Seven Recap: Carthage Marvel Rivals (4-3) vs. UW-Madison Badgers Varsity Red (7-0)

Series Score: UW-Madison 3, Carthage 0
Carthage Marvel Rivals completed an off-stream, best-of-five series against UW-Madison Badgers Varsity Red on Wednesday, Nov. 4. After two consecutive wins to reach 4-2, the Firebirds were stopped by the highest-ranked team in the Fall 2026 WEC regular season. With this loss, Carthage Marvel Rivals (4-3, 14-11) finished sixth out of 14 teams in the Fall 2026 WEC regular-season standings.

Carthage Marvel Rivals started the following players against UW-Madison Badgers Varsity Red: senior Ethan Anderson (Snowstorm), junior Adam Hollis (Hollister09), and freshmen Jacob Cooper (Void), Hayden Nelson (Hazzick), Matthew Santiago (Lumen) and Michael Santiago (Vader). All six players competed throughout the series without substitutions.

Marvel Rivals is a free-to-play, third-person, 6-vs.-6 team-based hero shooter developed by NetEase Games and Marvel Games. Players select well-known Marvel heroes and villains to compete in fast-paced, dynamic matches.

In the WEC, teams compete in three game modes: Convoy, Convergence and Domination.

• Convoy: An escort mode in which one team pushes a payload cart along a designated path to reach a final point. The opposing team must defend the route and prevent the cart from advancing before time expires.
• Convergence: A hybrid mode that combines elements of Domination and Convoy. Teams initially fight to capture a control point, which unlocks a payload cart that the attacking team must escort through the map.
• Domination: A King of the Hill mode in which two teams fight to control and hold a central point on the map. The first team to fill its progress bar to 100% wins the round. This process continues in a best-of-three format.

Marvel Rivals also features three in-game character roles: Duelist, Strategist and Vanguard.

• Duelist: Primary damage dealers who focus on securing eliminations and outplaying opponents. They have lower health pools and rely on strong positioning or precise aim.
• Strategist: Characters who stabilize team fights from the backline by healing teammates or providing utility through buffs.
• Vanguard: Frontline characters who use large health pools and damage-mitigation abilities to absorb enemy fire, control objectives and create space.

In recent weeks, the Firebirds have changed their team composition to match their strengths. The Santiago brothers play Vanguard, Hollis and Nelson are Duelists, while Anderson and Cooper stabilize the team at the Strategist position.

Map One: Birnin T'Challa – Domination, UW-Madison Wins 2-0
To open the series, Carthage dropped a hard-fought Domination game on the Birnin T'Challa map. Vanguard Michael Santiago led the team with 12 kills and 13,683 forced damage. Matthew Santiago, who also played Vanguard, added nine kills, 14,683 forced damage and 29,506 blocked damage. Hollis and Nelson chipped in with 15 kills as Duelists.

Ultimately, Badgers Red controlled the pace behind SilverForHire, who posted a standout performance as a Duelist with 21 kills and 17,731 forced damage. His teammate, Chapyuzi, recorded 17 kills. Lastly, UW-Madison's Strategist duo of Basedshark and Funman anchored the team composition with more than 44,000 healing.

Map Two: Lower Manhattan – Convergence, UW-Madison Wins 3-0
In Map Two, UW-Madison's offense overwhelmed Carthage as SilverForHire accumulated a team-high 36 kills and 29,025 forced damage. The Badgers Red Vanguard department also contributed greatly, with RoK (34 kills, 28,692 forced damage) and DarkLord (33 kills, 20,238 forced damage) putting together impressive stat lines. Additionally, Funman added 40 assists from the backline.

On the other side, Michael Santiago anchored the front line with 12 kills, 27,007 forced damage and 59,902 blocked damage, closely matched by Nelson (12 kills, 22,075 forced damage). Hollis recorded 10 kills and 23,580 forced damage, while Matthew Santiago contributed 20,065 forced damage. Strategists Anderson and Cooper combined for 27 assists and more than 53,000 healing.

Map Three: Museum of Contemplation – Convoy, UW-Madison Wins 2-0
Although Carthage pushed hard to prevent a 3-0 sweep, Badgers Red never took its foot off the gas and closed the series. UW-Madison sealed the win with an explosive performance from RoK, who concluded the final map with 43 kills, 33,127 forced damage and 32 assists. To complement RoK, DarLork finished with 32 kills. SilverForHire remained a consistent factor at the Duelist position, accumulating 34 kills and 26,056 forced damage. Basedshark anchored the backline with 51,715 healing.

For the Firebirds, Hollis led the team with 18 kills and 31,680 forced damage, while Nelson and Michael Santiago each contributed 14 kills, with Michael adding 30,632 forced damage. Matthew Santiago posted 13 kills and a team-high 30,936 forced damage, along with 48,089 blocked damage. Lastly, Anderson and Cooper anchored the backline with 43 combined assists and more than 70,800 healing.

Final Fall 2026 WEC regular-season player statistics: Carthage Marvel Rivals

• Michael Santiago (Vanguard): 462 kills, 109 deaths, 211 assists, 440,308 forced damage
• Matthew Santiago (Vanguard): 397 kills, 82 deaths, 167 assists, 355,087 forced damage
• Hayden Nelson (Duelist): 417 kills, 127 deaths, 172 assists, 369,897 forced damage
• Adam Hollis (Duelist): 415 kills, 107 deaths, 65 assists, 362,787 forced damage
• Jacob Cooper (Strategist): 285 kills, 91 deaths, 512 assists, 111,780 forced damage, 568,030 healing
• Ethan Anderson (Strategist): 163 kills, 40 deaths, 313 assists, 77,813 forced damage, 285,953 healing

Statistical data from the Week Four match against Ripon College Varsity Red is missing.

Player Reflection: Ethan Anderson

• "I believe we performed well. As stated with [Fall 2026] NECC, we're a new team, and it's our first time playing together. I know some other teams in the WEC competed in Fall 2025, and I assume they have been together for over a year. So, obtaining a winning record and placing sixth out of 14 teams is nothing to be disappointed about. There's a wide range of skill in the WEC. Some matches would be easy, while others would be more challenging. There were close matches, like the one against UW-Stout. Adam and I were thrilled to get some revenge on them after they beat Overwatch Red in the Spring 2026 WEC State LAN."
• "For this particular Marvel Rivals season across the NECC and WEC, we started rough; our rosters weren't fully set, and we were still figuring out what characters and compositions to utilize. Therefore, our team had a lot to work on, but we've improved as the season went on. Essentially, we've figured out what works and know when to switch things up. I believe that if we had a second chance against some of our early losses, we might get a win or two now. We're definitely one of the better teams in Wisconsin right now, and we'll continue to improve."

Carthage Marvel Rivals (4-3, 14-11) will prepare for a Fall 2026 WEC quarterfinal playoff game against a to-be-announced opponent on Wednesday, Nov. 11. It will be an off-stream, best-of-five series. Please follow our social media pages, @carthageesports, to stay updated on the opponent.

Carthage Esports is currently in season with NECC and WEC competition. Fall 2026 NECC livestreams are scheduled for Smash Bros. (Tuesdays), Rainbow Six (Wednesdays) and Overwatch (Fridays). This pattern applies to regular-season matches from the week of Sept. 28 through the week of Nov. 9. We extend our gratitude to those who consistently support the Carthage Esports program.

Follow @carthageesports on all social media platforms to stay updated on content involving the upcoming Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 seasons. Follow our Twitch channel to be informed when broadcasts go live. Lastly, be on the lookout for recaps on the Carthage Athletics – Esports page as the Fall 2026 NECC and WEC seasons continue.