KENOSHA – On Friday, April 17, Carthage Valorant, Rocket League (RL) Black, and Overwatch (OW) Red completed their Spring 2026 National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championship matches. Valorant earned Division VI Midwest honors, OW Red earned Division III Central honors, and RL Black fell in the Division III Midwest title match against Indiana Tech Warriors B. 

Spring 2026 NECC Championship Recap – No. 3 Carthage Valorant [Varsity] vs. No. 5 Cornell College [Division VI – Midwest Playoffs – Monday, April 13] 
Score: Carthage 3, Cornell College 0

Carthage Valorant, featuring junior captain Sergio Musaitef (Gio), junior Aiden Hecht (Hecht), senior Mady Savage (Bunny), sophomore Ryan Rivera (Righreanden), freshman Charlie Post (Opt1mal), and freshman Thalia Sullivan (Jellyfish), geared up for a Division VI Midwest Championship match against No. 5 Cornell College on Monday, April 13. Back on Monday, March 30, the Firebirds conquered No. 1 Drury University Panthers 2-0 with map wins on Breeze (13-11) and Corrode (13-11). Specifically for Map Two, Carthage slowly crawled back from a 7-5 deficit when they swapped to attack. 

For the Division VI Midwest Championship, the Firebirds achieved a complete victory, sweeping all maps in a best-of-five series to secure a 3-0 result. This marks the second consecutive Spring NECC Valorant championship won by Carthage Esports, dating back to April 7, 2025, when Hecht, Musaitef, Rivera, and Savage contributed to the team's triumph over Robert Morris University with a 3-2 outcome in a best-of-five series.

Upon the conclusion of Spring 2026's regular season, Carthage Valorant earned a 5-1 Overall and 11-3 Map record. Due to these metrics, the Firebirds attained second place in the Division VI – Midwest A standings. Moreover, they secured the No. 3 seed throughout the playoffs because Minot State Red (5-1, 11-3) matched their record and earned a Week One head-to-head victory over them. Finally, Drury University achieved a 6-0 overall record and a 12-4 Map record, establishing them as the sole undefeated team in Division VI – Midwest.

Brief Map Explanations

• Haven is a large, strategically complex map known for its unique three-bomb site layout, which forces both attacking and defending teams to manage significant space and anticipate cross-map rotations. Attackers must coordinate to pressure all three sites, while defenders are spread thin, but can use their central position for rotations.
• Breeze is a larger, tropical-themed map known for its wide-open spaces, long-range sightlines, and intense mid-control fights. It contains a mechanical door in A-site, and a one-way chute from A-Hall to Mid. This map forces players to be aware of complex, rotation-heavy strategies. 
• Lotus is a three-site map set in a sunken Indian city, characterized by rotating doors, destructible walls, and tight, interconnected corridors. Similar to Haven, its design allows for diverse, flexible strategies, featuring three bomb sites (A, B, and C).

[Map One: Half One / Haven 14-12 Win]

To open Haven, Carthage was on attack for the map's first half and reached a 7-5 round advantage before the role swap. It started as a 2-0 lead after a two-versus-three A-site clutch from Post [Sova] and Musaitef [Cypher] in Round One, followed by another A-site ambush with Musaitef recording two kills as Cornell hurried back. However, the Rams ended the small hot streak in Round Three with a late, but definitive B-site hold as Phet [Chamber] picked off Hecht [Breach] and Musaitef in Mid-Courtyard. From here, Cornell won three straight rounds to force a 4-2 lead. Their momentum took off in Round Four after halting Hecht and Sullivan [Omen] from pushing into A-site through smoke and other projectiles. All of Carthage was taken out within seconds, except for Rivera [Waylay], who had to let time expire due to a massive disadvantage. Sleepy G [Phoenix] decided the round with two flash projectiles to blind Musaitef and Post, kill them, and open the door for Phet to score eliminations on Hecht and Sullivan. 

Within the next two rounds, Carthage tied the map 4-4. In Round Seven, Rivera recorded two kills to increase his team's chances of defending C-site. Then, Musaitef had a signature moment in Round Eight – a one-versus-five clutch. Musaitef found Lamp [Astra] in Mid while peeking B-Window. Afterwards, Musaitef rotated to A-site, where he picked off Sleepy G and planted the spike. Although concussed by abilities, Musaitef swayed around a stack of crates. It threw off Jsoe [Fade] and Phet as Musaitef peeked left then right. All of a sudden, it was down to a one-versus-one. As he was blinded and concussed, Musaitef backed into a corner, stayed poised, and waited for Mortified [Breach] to peek. To end the fight, Musaitef hit a headshot to secure the ace.

From this point onward, Carthage secured three of the subsequent four rounds, including a one-versus-one clutch by Sullivan in Round 10, and a two-versus-two victory for Hecht and Post during Round 11 while defending an A-site plant. In Round 12, the Firebirds pushed in C-site with 30 seconds left. Sullivan eliminated Lamp before being taken out by Mortified. To plug up Cornell's defense, Rivera situated himself in C-Link and eliminated Jsoe and Sleepy G. This allowed Musaitef and Co. to hunker down in C-site and prevent any successful flanks from the Rams. Musaitef ended with two eliminations near the guarded spike. 

[Map One: Half Two + OT / Haven 14-12 Win]  

In the second half, both teams competed vigorously, and their combined efforts led to an unavoidable overtime period. Following the role reversal, Cornell won two rounds, resulting in a 7-7 draw. To maintain parity with the Rams, the Firebirds split rounds in Round 19, during which they pulled ahead to a 10-9 advantage. In Round 19, Musaitef and Post played a crucial role in defending the A-site as they entered A-Tower to confront Jsoe, Phet, and Mortified, respectively. In Round 20, the Firebirds advanced to 11-9 following a three-kill performance from Post while defending the A-site. 

When Cornell faced an 11-9 deficit, they called a tactical timeout to reassess their strategy. Subsequently, the team achieved a three-round winning streak that included a one-versus-one clutch from Jsoe against Hecht in C-site. A large box separated them. Jsoe launched a projectile to Hecht's left, causing him to bite on it. This then created an opportunity for Jsoe to swing from his opponent's right side, securing a 12-11 lead. To force overtime, the Firebirds united cohesively and provided a robust defense of the A-site. This effort included Hecht and Musaitef each securing one elimination, while Post contributed two eliminations of his own – notably, an A-Long elimination on Phet. 

In overtime, Carthage won two straight rounds as they successfully rekindled their end-of-regulation high. In Round 25, the Firebirds opted for a B-site plant. With 37 seconds left and a four-versus-four situation looming, Sullivan smoked off the main entry into B-site, allowing Musaitef to plant comfortably. Subsequently, Hecht eliminated Phet from B-Window but was eliminated by Mortified, while Musaitef died to Lamp. In a two-versus-three situation, Rivera and Sullivan positioned themselves on the left side of the site atop multiple boxes. 

Although Mortified launched a barrage, it missed, and Rivera quickly peeked him to secure the kill. Next, Lamp deployed a smoke cloud on top of the spike and killed Rivera. However, no one saw Sullivan until it was too late. In utilizing the high ground, Sullivan eliminated Jsoe in a high-pressure situation. To end overtime, Sullivan earned a one-versus-three C-site clutch. She swiped from right to left to record headshots on Lamp and Mortified. Then, Sullivan ended it all with a pistol tap on Joe.  

[Map Two: Half One / Breeze 13-8 Win]

For Breeze, Carthage started on the attacking side and went up 4-0 at one point. Although Cornell made the game interesting by cutting the deficit to 5-4, the Firebirds pulled away and established an 8-4 halftime lead. One highlight from the early 4-0 stretch included a Round One A-site clutch by Hecht [Chamber] and Sullivan [Jett] against Lamp [Astra] and Phet [Neon]. Another came in Round Four when the Firebirds went flawless in A-site. Post [Sova] played near the Mid Wood Doors and caught Phet and Sleepy G [Reyna] off guard. Meanwhile, Sullivan turned the corner in Mid-Nest to headshot Lamp and eliminate Mortified [Sage]. Thus, Jsoe was the last remaining member, but no match for Post, who swung him from Mid. 

After Carthage's reign of terror, the Rams put together a solid string of rounds and were only down 4-3 by the start of Round Eight. One highlight included Round Seven, when Mortified helped Jsoe plant the spike in A-site by throwing up a crystal wall. This opened up a five-versus-three advantage as Post was taken out. Then, Rivera launched the "Viper's Pit" ultimate, which launches an enormous cloud of toxic mist, to score two late eliminations. However, he came up short in the one-versus-two as Sleepy G shot him from the blindside. 

With a 4-3 score, Carthage kept its pace. Although Cornell made it 5-4, that would be their best shot at a tie. However, the Firebirds proceeded to win three straight to eclipse an 8-4 half. One highlight within this run came in Round 11. As Musaitef [Kay/O] and Post came from A-Bridge, Post dropped the hammer on Mortified and Sleepy G, who sat in A-site, with two straight headshots. Then, Sullivan created a distraction act for Musaitef, who attempted to defuse in A-site. Sullivan went south toward A-Shop, where she eliminated Phet and Lamp with a Phantom AR. Although Jsoe picked off Musaitef with a shock dart and Sullivan with a Vandal AR, Hecht rushed Jsoe immediately to win a quick one-versus-one and defuse the spike in time. 

[Map Two: Half Two / Breeze 13-8 Win]

With an 8-4 lead, Carthage won three of the next five rounds to force an 11-6 lead. One highlight from this run included Round 14, where Post, Hecht, and Rivera [Viper] battled in a three-versus-three near A-site. Directly at the bomb site, Post took out Sleepy G with a Bulldog AR, which gave him room to plant. To provide cover fire, Rivera sniped Jsoe, who aimed to rotate down from A-Bridge. Then, Lamp became the last member alive for Cornell. However, he was unsuccessful in a one-versus-three as Rivera sniped him with an Outlaw at the Mid Wood Doors. Another highlight came in Round 17, where Carthage and Cornell engaged in a four-versus-three post-plant in B-site. As Jsoe and Mortified attempted to rotate downward from B-Wall, they were eliminated by Musaitef in a flash. Then, Sleepy G became stuck in B-Well and died at the hands of Hecht, who sniped him from B-site. 

Before Carthage put the finishing touches on Map Two, the Rams fought back with a vengeance and cut their deficit to 11-8. One highlight from this stint includes Round 19, where a four-versus-four post-plant scenario occurred in A-site. Before the spike plant, Mortified picked off Hecht in Mid-Pillar. Then, they revived Sleepy G to even the odds. Meanwhile, Rivera planted in A-site and covered himself with mist. Then, Phet and Mortified etched a tag-team effort to eliminate Musaitef and Sullivan. Even though Rivera killed Phet and Sleepy G, Jsoe shut him down. To end the round, Mortified crystallized the A-Shop floor, blocked Post off with a wall, and killed him. Then, Jsoe defused the A-site spike.

Then, Carthage secured the last rounds. Post expertly deployed a clutch shock dart on Jsoe in Round 20, and Musaitef forced through Lamp's bulletproof wall to secure two vital eliminations—Jsoe and Sleepy G. Additionally, Rivera secured the victory with an elimination of Lamp. Thus, Carthage never wavered and secured a Map Two victory. 

[Map Three: Half One + Half Two / Lotus 13-9 Win]

For Lotus, Carthage started on defense, but trailed 7-5 as the first half concluded. At one point, the team went down 3-1 before keeping the round deficit comfortable down the stretch. In Round Six in particular, Sullivan helped the Firebirds force a 3-3 tie. Before a B-site plant occurred, Sullivan flanked from C-Link and came south to B-site. Here, Sullivan picked apart Jsoe [Fade], Mortified [Breach], and Sleepy G [Omen]. Lastly, Sullivan found her fourth kill on Lamp [Astra] in B-Main. Later on, the Rams jumped out to a 6-3 lead. One highlight for Cornell came in Round Nine as Phet [Raze] blindsided Carthage's defense to secure four kills – Musaitef [Raze], Rivera [Vyse], Sullivan [Miks], and Hectht [Breach], with a Vandal AR. To end the half, Carthage won two of the next three rounds and cut their deficit to 7-5. In Round 12, the Firebirds won dramatically as Post successfully defused a C-site plant with Musaitef acting as a human shield.

In the second half, Carthage started hot with two wins to earn a 7-7 tie. One highlight from this specific stretch was Round 14 as Hecht, Post, and Sullivan cleaned up a three-versus-two near A-site. First, Hecht flushed out Lamp with Chamber's "Fault Line" ability, which sent shockwaves through the ground. As Lamp was deterred, Sullivan peeked timely near A-Stairs to force a three-versus-one. Then, Post eliminated Jsoe. In Round 16, Musaitef hit Jsoe with Raze's "Rocket Fuse" ability to obtain an 8-8 tie. For the remainder of Map Three, Carthage found a way to win five of the next six rounds to claim the Division VI Midwest Championship.

A few highlights include Rounds 17, 18, and 22. In Round 17, Rivera secured four eliminations with a Vandal AR. Ultimately, he clogged up C-site after the Rams thought they had cleared the bomb site after eliminating Sullivan. Rivera barreled in for kills on Jsoe, Lamp, Mortified, and Phet. For Round 18, Rivera recorded three kills in A-site, and Musaitef impressively dodged an oncoming "Rocket Fuse" from Phet. Lastly, in Round 22,  the Firebirds started with a great C-Main hold as Hecht and Rivera walked away with kills on Jsoe and Sleepy G. Then, Rivera rotated to the B-site, where he found Mortified and Phet. Although Lamp cut their one-versus-four down to a one-versus-three, Sullivan secured the final match's final elimination in B-site.

Post Game – Adam Hollis (Hollister09) [Producer] interviewing Coach Wesley Kutzke

Spring 2026 NECC Regular Season + Postseason Player Stats – Carthage Valorant [Varsity]

• Ryan Rivera (Righreanden) 
  • Reg. Season: 236 Kills / 178 Deaths [1.33 K/D], 52 Assists, Four Plants, Five Defuses
  • Quarterfinal: 29 Kills / 29 Deaths [1.00 K/D], 15 Assists, One Plant, No Defuses 
  • Semifinal: 33 Kills / 33 Deaths [1.00 K/D], 12 Assists, One Plant, Three Defuses
  • Final: 54 Kills / 52 Deaths [1.04 K/D], 25 Assists, Two Plants, No Defuses
• Charlie Post (Opt1mal) 
  • Reg. Season: 219 Kills / 167 Deaths [1.31 K/D], 73 Assists, 34 Plants, Nine Defuses
  • Quarterfinal: 53 Kills / 25 Deaths [2.12 K/D], 12 Assists, Five Plants, One Defusal
  • Semifinal: 37 Kills / 30 Deaths [1.23 K/D], 22 Assists, Nine Plants, One Defusal
  • Final: 61 Kills / 49 Deaths [1.24 K/D], 34 Assists, 13 Plants, Four Defuses
• Sergio Musaitef (Gio) 
  • Reg. Season: 176 Kills / 174 Deaths [1.01 K/D], 64 Assists, Seven Plants, Seven Defuses 
  • Quarterfinal: 35 Kills / 29 Deaths [1.21 K/D], 12 Assists, Five Plants, One Defusal
  • Semifinal: 42 Kills / 33 Deaths [1.27 K/D], 21 Assists, One Plant, Two Defuses
  • Final: 52 Kills / 44 Deaths [1.18 K/D], 10 Assists, Four Plants, Two Defuses
• Aiden Hecht (Hecht) 
  • Reg. Season: 156 Kills / 187 Deaths [0.83 K/D], 89 Assists, 20 Plants, Six Defuses 
  • Quarterfinal: 37 Kills / 27 Deaths [1.37 K/D], Eight Assists, Six Plants, One Defusal
  • Semifinal: 27 Kills / 29 Deaths [0.93 K/D], 12 Assists, One Plant, One Defusal
  • Final: 43 Kills / 45 Deaths [0.96 K/D], 17 Assists, Four Plants, Two Defuses
• Thalia Sullivan (Jellyfish) 
  • Reg. Season: 146 Kills / 139 Deaths [1.05 K/D], 81 Assists, 29 Plants, Four Defuses 
  • Quarterfinal: 10 Kills / 11 Deaths [0.91 K/D], Four Assists, No Plants, No Defuses
  • Semifinal: 40 Kills / 33 Deaths [1.21 K/D], 15 Assists, Four Plants, No Defuses
  • Final: 47 Kills / 51 Deaths [0.92 K/D], 17 Assists, One Plant, One Defusal
• Mady Savage (Bunny)
  • Reg. Season: 28 Kills / 28 Deaths [1.00 K/D], 12 Assists, Six Plants
  • Quarterfinal: 12 Kills / 18 Deaths [0.67 K/D], 15 Assists, Two Plants, No Defuses

Following their Division VI Midwest Championship win, Carthage Valorant [Varsity] participated in the NECC Division VI Nationals as the No. 5 seed. On Monday, April 20, the team decisively defeated No. 12 College of the Holy Cross [CHC] Crusaders in the Round of 16 with a 2-0 sweep. However, during the Elite Eight on Tuesday, April 21, the Firebirds were eliminated by No. 4 Lander University Academy with a 2-0 defeat. Despite their brief tenure in Nationals, these Firebirds can take pride in securing another Spring NECC conference championship. The team is scheduled to return on Carthage Esports livestreams in Spring 2027.
 

Spring 2026 NECC Championship Recap – No. 1 Indiana Tech Warriors B vs. No. 2 Carthage RL Black [Division III – Midwest Playoffs – Wednesday, April 15]
Score: Indiana Tech B 4, Carthage RL Black 0

Carthage RL Black, featuring junior captain Penn Gilchrist (Pixlr), junior Lucas Menzer (Joystik), and senior Tanner Lee (Flare), faced No. 1 Indiana Tech Warriors B in the Division III Midwest Championship on Wednesday, April 15. In the best-of-seven series, RL Black could not contain the Warriors' tenacious offense and fell behind early. Unfortunately, Indiana Tech did not drop a single game, sweeping the Firebirds 4-0.

Upon the conclusion of Spring 2026's regular season, RL Black earned a 7-0 Overall and 28-10 Game record. With these metrics, the team secured first place in the Division III – Midwest B standings and earned the No. 2 seed in the Division III – Midwest Playoffs. RL Black was given this seed solely because Indiana Tech B (7-0, 28-6) had the better Game Differential and placed first in the Midwest A Conference. Thus, Indiana Tech B claimed the No. 1 seed and was placed on the opposite end of Division III's Midwest Playoffs bracket. At long last, the inevitable Division III Midwest Championship match came to fruition.

Indiana Tech B (Chippie, Cloud, Feed) started their systematic approach with a 2-0 victory in Game One. The Warriors' first point came from Feed, who scored after receiving a backboard pass from Cloud at 4:14. With no defense pressure, Cloud tapped the ball twice against Carthage's left wall, causing it to bounce off their backboard. Nearly a minute later, Gilchrist almost equalized by twirling in the air with the ball from midfield toward Indiana Tech B's goal. Although he juked Chippie, Cloud stopped him, and Feed returned just in time to clear. With a little over two minutes remaining, Feed scored again, initially shooting the ball into the left corner near Carthage's net. As Cloud looked to re-center, Feed circled RL Black's goal line and took out Lee. With no defender available, Cloud passed to Feed from the left corner, who scored (2:08). Despite good shots from Gilchrist, Lee, and Menzer on the Warriors' goal, RL Black did not score.

In Game Two, Indiana Tech B claimed a 4-2 victory. Although it was another Warriors loss, the Firebirds showed signs of life. Within 40 seconds, the Warriors flipped the field against RL Black when Cloud won a major 50/50 ball against Menzer near his own net. With open space, Cloud lobbed the ball uphill for Feed, who took a ridiculous left field shot to put Indiana Tech B up 1-0 (4:23). Just 22 seconds later, the Warriors relentlessly challenged RL Black's defense. First, Cloud demolished Lee near midfield to create a man advantage. Next, Chippie forced Menzer to save the ball while defending the Firebirds' net. Menzer inadvertently banged the ball off the ceiling, giving Feed a grand opportunity to score a fast aerial goal, since Gilchrist and Menzer were low on boost (4:01). 

After eight combined minutes of no goals, Menzer broke the glass ceiling as he carried the ball from midfield to Indiana Tech B's net with a bump assist from Lee onto Chippie (3:06). However, on the ensuing kickoff, Lee attempted a pinch on the left wall. However, it failed, and Chippie shot the ball cleanly into RL Black's net to give the Warriors a 3-1 lead (2:59). Indiana Tech B would then increase its lead to 4-1 as Feed valiantly hit a double-tap on the Firebirds' net (2:10)  Before time expired, Lee scored a second goal for RL Black after Menzer violently shoved Cloud out of his own net (0:09).

Next, Game Three became RL Black's best chance to climb back into this series. However, Indiana Tech B washed away the flames of defiance, earning a gutsy 3-2 overtime win. Within the first 25 seconds, RL Black's defense suffered an unfortunate defensive miscue. Cloud aimed to position the ball near RL Black's right goal post, achieving this despite Lee's evident attempt. As the ball settled in front of the Firebirds' net, Gilchrist, Lee, and Menzer all bounced off it, enabling Cloud to reposition himself for a straightforward goal (4:37). Following this bizarre sequence, Feed would accidentally place the ball into Indiana Tech B's net after Lee centered the ball (4:31). 

For the next three minutes, both teams engaged in a defensive struggle. Then, Menzer found an opening at 1:29 after Feed launched the ball past midfield. Menzer scooped the ball, flicked it over Cloud, and proceeded to score an open-net goal (1:26). With a little over 30 seconds left, Cloud found a midfield opening after RL Black triple-committed on offense. Lee tried to stop Cloud's momentum, but accidentally pushed the ball into RL Black's net. Although Indiana Tech wanted to end things in regulation, Gilchrist wisely cleared the ball away and knocked it down to force overtime. Following a 2:06 period, Feed emerged victorious by winning a 50/50 ball against Menzer. He subsequently advanced past midfield and executed a shot on goal that was too forceful for Lee to save in time.

To wrap up the Division III Midwest Championship, Indiana Tech B forced a 5-2 win in Game Four. Within 31 seconds, the Warriors struck first blood as Cloud centered the ball off Carthage's crossbar and demolished Menzer. Then, Chippie soared to drain a shot (4:29). At the 4:03 mark, Indiana Tech B ran the same type of offensive plan – demolish Menzer, set up an easy crossbar pass, and score. This time around, Feed etched his name on the scoreboard. 

Next, the Firebirds found some offense with less than three-and-a-half minutes to play as Menzer, from midfield, smacked the ball off the Warriors' crossbar. In a flash, Lee trickled in from the left-hand side, jumped up, and dunked the ball in to cut the score 2-1 (3:19). To tie the game 2-2, Menzer and Gilchrist combined for a mind-bending re-direct goal (2:48). First, Gilchrist banged the ball off Indiana Tech B's backboard. Then, Menzer catches it and sends it over to Gilchrist, who balanced on the crossbar. Lastly, Gilchrist taps the ball with his back wheels to prevent Cloud from getting an easy save. Despite the tie, Indiana Tech B snatched the lead back after Feed hit an open-net ground-pinch (2:24). This shifted the momentum significantly as the Warriors went on to score two more unanswered goals – Cloud flick over Menzer (1:20) and Chippie goal off a Cloud midfield pass (1:01). 

Overall, Indiana Tech B's offense was bolstered by improved defensive play, effectively sealing the game in critical moments. Although RL Black showed flashes, the Warriors kept them from playing their brand of Rocket League on the grand stage.     

Spring 2026 NECC Regular Season + Postseason Player Stats – Carthage RL Black

• Penn Gilchrist (Pixlr) 
  • Reg. Season: 36 Goals, 24 Assists, 41 Saves, 123 Shots, 54 Demos, 29% Shooting
  • Quarterfinal: Seven Goals, One Assist, Nine Saves, 17 Shots, 14 Demos, 41% Shooting
  • Semifinal: Six Goals, Two Assists, Three Saves, 16 Shots, Eight Demos, 38% Shooting
  • Final: One Goal, No Assists, Seven Saves, Eight Shots, Four Demos, 12% Shooting  
• Tanner Lee (Flare)
  • Reg. Season: 29 Goals, 26 Assists, 40 Saves, 115 Shots, 43 Demos, 25% Shooting
  • Quarterfinal: Four Goals, Eight Assists, Six Saves, 18 Shots, Nine Demos, 22% Shooting
  • Semifinal: Three Goals, Four Assists, Seven Saves, 13 Shots, Six Demos, 23% Shooting
  • Final: Three Goals, No Assists, Six Saves, Eight Shots, Two Demos, 38% Shooting
• Lucas Menzer (Joystik)
  • Reg. Season: 24 Goals, 21 Assists, 47 Saves, 92 Shots, 52 Demos, 26% Shooting
  • Quarterfinal: Five Goals, Six Assists, Eight Saves, 25 Shots, 13 Demos, 20% Shooting
  • Semifinal: Three Goals, Six Assists, 10 Saves, 20 Shots, Eight Demos, 15% Shooting 
  • Final: Two Goals, Three Assists, 10 Saves, 14 Shots, Nine Demos, 14% Shooting

Season Comments (Tanner Lee): "To start, I couldn't ask for a much better run to cap off my time at Carthage. While we may not have claimed a full victory over the course of the season, what we did accomplish is definitely nothing to write off. In the fall, we had an undefeated regular season in NECC Division IV [Midwest], where we only dropped one game and claimed third place in the playoffs. Also, we got second place in the [WEC] Southeast Regional as we lost to the eventual state champions – Carthage Red. If you were to tell me that those would be the accolades of my senior season, I would be more than happy. As a freshman, I would have been in the equivalent of NECC Division VIII. However, I was blessed with teammates who knew we could go further. In the spring, we would move up to Division III, add another undefeated regular season, and only lose in the finals to the team I believe to be the best in Division III [Indiana Tech B]. I only have things to be proud of this year."

Season Comments (Tanner Lee – Continued): "If you knew me in esports, you would know how much winning meant to me, even to a detriment at times. All I wanted was to win something or earn some physical memento to commemorate the time I put into this game. I had come to terms with the fact that it might not happen this year, and that was okay. I had accomplished so many intangible things in the relationships I had built through competing in esports. I finally accepted that it would be enough. Fate has a funny way of rewarding people, though, as in our final LAN of my career [Spring 2026 Midwest Collegiate Rocket League (MCRL)], Carthage Black took third place. I ended up earning my memento in a third-place medal that will serve as a reminder of every person I got to meet through my time at Carthage, and the hard work that I put into academics and esports to succeed at both and get through college."

Carthage RL Black, the No. 5 seed in NECC's Division III Nationals, suffered an unfortunate 4-3 series loss in overtime vs. No. 12, the University of Southern Indiana, on Wednesday, April 22. This match will be covered in the upcoming 2026 NECC Nationals Recap. We extend our gratitude to Carthage RL Black for an awesome season that included a Fall 2025 third-place finish in Division IV Midwest, a Spring 2026 second-place finish in Division III Midwest, and two straight undefeated regular seasons. We also thank Tanner Lee for all of his incredible contributions to Carthage Esports, as he will be graduating from Carthage College on Saturday, May 23.
 

Spring 2026 NECC Championship Recap – No. 1 Carthage OW Red vs. No. 3 Wright State Raiders [Division III – Central Playoffs – Friday, April 17]
Score: Carthage OW Red 4, Wright State 0

Carthage OW Red, featuring junior captain Mason Stenger (zXc), junior Joy Schultz (JumpyWizard), sophomore Billy Flanagan (ChickenFries), sophomore Deacon Kirvan (FerociousPig), and sophomore Adam Hollis (Hollister09), capped off their Division III – Central Playoff run with a conference championship victory vs. No. 3 Wright State Raiders on Friday, April 17. Within the best-of-seven series, Carthage OW Red competed against Wright State in the following game mode/map combinations: Control (Ilios), Hybrid (Eichenwalde), Escort (Watchpoint: Gibraltar), and Push (Colosseo).

Upon the conclusion of Spring 2026's NECC regular season, OW Red finished with a 7-0 Overall and 21-0 Map record. Because of these metrics, the team earned first place in the Division III – Central A standings and the No. 1 seed throughout the playoffs.

Brief Game Mode Explanations

• Control is a game mode where teams compete to capture a point from 0% to 100% in a best-of-three format. To win the map, a team must secure two out of three points.
• Hybrid is a game mode that combines elements of Control and Escort, where the attacking team must fully capture a point to unlock the payload. Then, they must escort the payload. 
• Escort involves two teams taking turns to move and defend a payload objective. On attack, the goal is to advance the payload through checkpoints within a given time limit. The defensive goal is self-explanatory: prevent the payload's movement.
• Push involves two teams competing to guide a robot across multiple checkpoints. The winning team is determined by the robot's meter distance over 10 minutes. 

Brief Map Explanations

• Ilios is a scenic Mediterranean map with three parts: Lighthouse, Ruins, and Well. The Lighthouse features a control point inside a small building surrounded by cliffs, favoring heroes who can knock enemies off the map. The Well features an open, sunken point with a deadly central pit. Ruins is an open, ancient, and high-ground-heavy, multi-lane area. Teams must have consistent control and smart positioning to avoid flankers.
• Eichenwalde is a Hybrid map set in an abandoned German village near Stuttgart, featuring a medieval castle. It has three sections: Village, Bridge, and Castle. The Village contains Point A, where attackers start in a tavern and push through a town street to capture it. Eichenwalde's bridge is the main payload route, filled with environmental hazards. The final point is in Eichenwalde's castle, where attackers must break through gates and fight in a tight indoor space.
• Watchpoint Gibraltar is a three-stage Escort map defined by its verticality and long sightlines. The map tasks attackers with pushing a satellite drone from Winston's laboratory through a hangar and uphill into a final rocket bay, while defenders leverage high-ground positions like the "blue box" and the subtle to stall the payload.
• Colosseo is a map characterized by its symmetrical design that mirrors each team's path. It primarily focuses on fast-paced fighting through narrow corridors, open areas, and high-ground vantage points. 

Map One (Ilios / 2-1 Control Win)

During Ilios – Ruins, Wright State quickly took the first point after gaining a man advantage when Flanagan [Wrecking Ball] was eliminated by RepDragonTile [D.Va]. Stenger [Echo] hovered around pillars to distract Wright State with aerial damage while Carthage respawned after a teamfight. Stenger killed Ender [Emre], but Schultz [Mercy] revived Kirvan [Venture], yet Wright State held the point at 41%. Stenger used Echo's "Duplicate" to copy Wrecking Ball and aimed for the "Mindfield" ultimate to push Wright State off. AversePuma [Tracer] planted a "Pulse Bomb" on Stenger, killing him. After defeating Carthage again, the Raiders reached over 90% before the final teamfight. Ender finished the round with two kills using Emre's "Override Protocol," which boosts firepower. 

After a poor Round One where the Firebirds scored no points, they regrouped at Lighthouse Point. In Round Two, Kirvan [Echo] and Hollis [Kiriko] eliminated Wright State's support players, Devul [Jetpack Cat] and Linkz [Kiriko]. Flanagan [D.Va] then secured a significant DPS kill on Ender. Stenger [Emre] and teammates pushed RepDragonTile out to capture the objective. Once the Firebirds passed 33%, Kirvan achieved four consecutive kills as Echo (AversePuma [Tracer], Linkz, Ender, Devul) to maintain momentum. With Kirvan's spree, they surpassed 80%, forcing Wright State to respawn. Flanagan then killed three players, helping Carthage reach 99%. To defend, Stenger used Emre's heavy rounds, eliminated RepDragonTile, and outdueled Ender, who used the "Override Protocol" ultimate. Stenger also used grenades to shoot down Devul and Linkz inside the Lighthouse. 

Carthage and Wright State fought over Ilios' Well to settle a 1-1 tie. Wright State took an early lead with Ender [Emre] eliminating Kirvan [Echo] with a grenade, and Flanagan [D.Va] losing point as RepDragonTile [D.Va] blocked him. Ender also eliminated Stenger [Emre] across the map and shot Hollis [Kirko], helping Wright State reach 20% and then 72% by isolating Carthage's team. AversePuma [Tracer] further fragmented Carthage by eliminating Hollis and Stenger. Wright State hit 99%, prompting Carthage to stall. Flanagan [D.Va] was thrown into the Well and died from rockets. Stenger fought to give Hollis time to use Kiriko's "Kitsune Rush," dying but securing enough support for Carthage to capture the point.

Carthage reached 41% before Wright State contested the objective. Although AversePuma took out Kirvan and Stenger, Schultz [Jetpack Cat] deposed RepDragonTile, who managed D.Va outside her mech with the "Catnapped" ultimate, and subsequently cast her down the Well. With two Kirvan kills shortly after, the Firebirds reached 70% and counting. Stenger and Co. remained on point and anticipated a 99% overtime teamfight. Stenger used "Override Protocol" for cover fire and eliminated AversePuma in the process. Although RepDragonTile removed him from below, Kirvan penetrated D.Va's mech with fire projectiles and promptly eliminated Wright State's last remaining player. Thus, Carthage found a way to combine high-ground and low-ground synergy to bring home a 2-1 control win.

Map Two (Eichenwalde / 3-1 Hybrid Win)

Carthage started on the attacking side with four minutes to capture a point in the Village and unlock the payload. The Raiders defended for nearly three and a half minutes before the Firebirds rallied. A simple pick by Stenger [Cassidy] on AversePuma [Junkrat] led to chaos as Hollis and Linkz used "Kitsune Rush" to boost movement speed. Flanagan entered a tight space to kill Linkz, while AversePuma used Junkrat's Rip-Tire to eliminate Hollis. Kirvan [Echo] killed Revv [Domina] behind a shield, and Flanagan destroyed Ender [Bastion]. Kirvan fought Devul in melee to end the fight. Carthage then unlocked the payload and escorted it from the village to the bridge.

On the road to offensive glory, Stenger ran into AversePuma, who swapped to Symmetra, on the stairs in a mini-castle. Stenger quickly fired six revolver shots at AversePuma, slightly rolled away, and tapped them with a single shot. Within one minute of their 3:43 timer, Carthage recorded 71 meters traveled (halfway to crossing the bridge). This trend continued as Wright State prepared to hold down the bridge. Although Revv blocked Stenger with a ground-level shield, he noticed Devul, who tethered Ender in the air. Stenger used Cassidy's "Deadeye" ultimate, focused his aim, and wiped Devul away with a couple of revolver shots. He subsequently positioned himself behind Revv and deployed a concussion grenade, which facilitated Flanagan's opportunity to eliminate Wright State's Tank and AversePuma. 

To clean up the Raiders, Schultz (Lucio) used a sonic burst to kill Ender, while Kirvan hit a headshot on Linkz. Thus, Carthage broke through the Eichenwalde Castle Door to secure two points – one for capturing the objective and one for reaching the checkpoint. Within the Eichenwalde Castle siege, Flanagan launched a D.Va bomb into the left corner near the payload's last checkpoint to eliminate Ender. Simultaneously, Kirvan removed Devul and canceled Revv's ultimate ability, "Panopticon," which encapsulates enemies within a highly unstable crystal capable of inflicting substantial damage. To secure all three Hybrid points for Carthage, Flanagan dove into Wright State's spawn and eliminated AversePuma and Linkz with authority.

The Firebirds were tasked with protecting the payload for four minutes, but Wright State captured it in one minute. Flanagan, Hollis, Kirvan, and Schultz tried to hold the point. Devul eliminated Kirvan and Hollis. Ender used a grenade on Flanagan, and Revv handled Schultz. Wright State used five minutes plus overtime to push forward, reaching the bridge, but was stopped by the Firebirds. Hollis used 'Kitsune Rush' to help Flanagan defeat Devul and AversePuma, enabling Stenger to provide cover fire. Carthage won 3-1 on Eichenwalde after a strong defense.     

Map Three (Watchpoint: Gibraltar / 3-2 Escort Win)

On Watchpoint, Carthage defended the Server Room against Wright State. Early in the fight, Ender [Ashe] eliminated Kirvan [Hazard], forcing Carthage to retreat. With 2:47 left, Wright State began escorting the payload, but Stenger [Emre] and Flanagan [Tracer]'s combined tactics, including 'Override Protocol' and a 'Pulse Bomb,' disrupted their push. The Raiders nearly scored a point before the Firebirds blocked them at 1:49.

With 10 seconds remaining, Wright State surrounded the payload, taking out Firebirds one by one. Revv [Hazard] killed Stenger in the rafters, and Devul [Illari] threw explosive sun-balls with 'Captive Sun,' helping them pass for a point. Wright State countered "Captive Sun" as AversePuma and Ender eliminated Hollis [Kiriko] and Kivran [Hazard], with Linkz [Kiriko] finishing Flanagan [Tracer]. At 2:33, Wright State fought for a second point, but Carthage made them earn it, with Flanagan's "Pulse Bomb" at 1:30 taking out AversePuma and Ender. 

Once again, Wright State endured another overtime period, and Devul showcased their excellent application of "Captive Sun" as Schultz [Jetpack Cat] fell. Linkz followed with two final hits on Hollis and Kirvan. Lastly, AversePuma and Ender claimed the lives of Flanagan and Stenger. With one minute left, Wright State aimed to earn a third point. However, two strong teamfights by Carthage were enough to halt the Raiders. First, with 40 seconds left, Stenger aimed precisely at Emre to eliminate Ender and Linkz. Then, Stenger whipped out a siphon blaster to secure final hits on AversePuma and Devul. In the last few seconds, Hollis stepped up and recorded three eliminations – AversePuma, Ender, and Linkz.

As Carthage swapped to attack, they needed to pass two checkpoints and surpass 44 meters toward the final checkpoint. Despite an early setback, the Firebirds began their escort at the 2:37 mark, before fighting in the Server Room entrance – an area filled with significant high-ground and unfavorable low-ground. After a one-minute stalemate, Flanagan helped the Firebirds break free as he stuck Ender [Emre] with a Tracker "Pulse Bomb." Then, Stenger [Emre] provided cover fire with "Override Protocol," while Kirvan [Sigma] guided the payload past the first checkpoint. 

To traverse Winston's Hangar, the Firebirds used only one minute of their 3-minute 9-second limit. Kirvan played a key role with three final hits. With a 2-2 score, they needed to pass 44 meters to win Map Three. It took nearly two minutes within a 3-minute 30-second limit. Kirvan switched to Reinhardt for a brawl, isolating AversePuma from Wright State. After a critical DPS elimination, Stenger used "Override Protocol" to create space, enabling a decisive push past 44 meters for a 3-2 Escort victory on Watchpoint Gibraltar.

Map Four (Colosseo / 107.25m - 107.24m Push Win)

Carthage OW Red closed the best-of-five series with a defiant Push victory on Colosseo. To begin the nine-minute timer, the Firebirds claimed the robot first and reached 38 meters traveled before Wright State took it away. Ender [Sojourn] contributed with two eliminations – Schultz [Lucio] and Kirvan [Reaper]. Then, RepDragonTile [Wrecking Ball] eliminated Flanagan [Zarya] and Hollis [Kiriko]. Before Wright State went on a run, they only recorded 11 meters, before Kirvan hit Reaper's "Death Blossom" ultimate on AversePuma [Anran] to help the Firebirds regain the robot. 

At approximately 5:40, the Firebirds had accumulated 63 meters before the Raiders retrieved the robot, as RepDragonTile once again became an impediment. He drew the attention of Stenger [Soldier 76] and Hollister [Kiriko] near the neutral zone, enabling AversePuma and Devul to overcome Kirvan and Schultz, who were still in control of the robot. Over the next minute and a half, Wright State experienced a significant shift, moving from 11 meters to 72 meters. The Raiders effectively used Sojourn's "Overclocked" and Wrecking Ball's "Minefield" in sequence, sustaining and amplifying their momentum.

As the time ticked away, Wright State reached 107.24 meters at the 2:23 mark after a string of successful picks made by players such as Ender and Linkz [Kirko]. However, the Firebirds finally grasped the robot again. At this point, Stenger swapped to Cassidy after an elongated stint as Soldier 76. This swap defined Carthage's final push. After a slight hiccup that lasted nearly two minutes, the Firebirds had 42 seconds plus overtime to eclipse 107.24 meters. 

During overtime, Carthage reached the Colosseo overpass segment. Kirvan [Venture] used the "Tectonic Shock" ultimate to create a destructive shockwave that eliminated AversePuma [Vendetta]. Kirvan then knocked Ender off the map, leaving the Raiders without DPS support. Following this, Stenger threw a concussion grenade at RepDragonTile to reduce their health and fired a couple of revolver shots to finish them. This brief skirmish allowed the Firebirds to advance from 67 to 97 meters and maneuver the robot around the corner, up the stairs leading to the overpass. 

To accomplish a decisive 4-0 series sweep, Carthage concentrated its efforts on RepDragonTile during the concluding teamfight. Stenger activated the "Deadeye" ultimate ability to deliver a formidable revolver shot, reducing RepDragonTile's health by half. Then, Stenger stunned their movement long enough for Flanagan [D.Va] to finish the job. Flanagan also dissolved Linkz, while Kirvan methodically controlled the backline with two crucial picks on Devul [Jetpack Cat] and Ender [Sojourn]. Thus, Carthage OW Red won its second NECC conference title within the 2025-26 academic year and its third since Fall 2023.

Post Game – Andrew Czysz Jr (TurbidJuggler) [Play-by-Play] interviewing Mason Stenger (zXc) and Adam Hollis (Hollister09)

Carthage OW Red will return for an on-stream, best-of-seven, Division III National Championship vs. either No. 2 University of North Carolina Wilmington or No. 3 Paradise Valley Community College on Friday, May 8 at 6:00 p.m. Additionally, the team competed at the Wisconsin Esports Conference (WEC) State LAN between Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3. As of this writing, Carthage OW Red fell 4-3 against UW-Stout Blue after nearly climbing back from a 3-1 series deficit. This match will be discussed in a future recap article. We extend our gratitude to Carthage OW Red for a great Spring 2026 WEC campaign, which included a 6-1 overall regular-season finish and a Southeast Regional LAN victory.  


Carthage Esports will return on Friday, May 8, at 6:00 p.m., for the program's final livestream of the 2025-26 academic year. It will feature the 2026 NECC Division III Overwatch National Championship, a best-of-seven series between No. 1 Carthage OW Red and the winner of No. 2 University of North Carolina Wilmington vs. No. 3 Paradise Valley Community College. Stay tuned for the Spring 2026 WEC State LAN and 2026 NECC Nationals Recaps within the coming weeks.

Follow @carthageesports on all socials to stay updated on content related to the Spring 2026 NECC and WEC Seasons. Follow our Twitch channel to be informed when broadcasts go live. Lastly, be on the lookout for more recaps on the Carthage Athletics – Esports page.
 

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