In the opening round of the National Association of Collegiate Esports' (NACE) Fall 2024 Rocket League Varsity Premier Championship, the Rocket League program at Shawnee State put together a fantastic effort, rallying from a 2-1 deficit against Lubbock Christian (Texas) to claim a 3-2 victory in a thrilling NACE Round of 16 Varsity Premier matchup Monday evening.

Shawnee State 3, Lubbock Christian 2 (2-1, 2-3, 0-1, 4-3, 1-0)

Down by a 2-1 margin after the first three games and facing elimination, the resiliency of the standout Rocket League trio of Dyllan DeBruyne (Gamertag: Duckworth), Sean Downard (Gamertag: Tacostash84) and Blade Taylor (Gamertag: SlaYer) all stood out as the Bears not only won Game 4 to stay alive by a slim 4-3 margin, but claimed the fifth and deciding game, 1-0, in a thrilling affair that saw every game decided by just one goal each.

Downard, who has been a highly proficient goal-scorer throughout the season for Shawnee State's Rocket League squad, was absolutely huge in both Games 4 and 5. Downard posted three of Shawnee State's four goals in Game 4 and assisted on Taylor's conversion while making a pair of saves to will the Bears to victory in the fourth contest, squaring up the match at two apiece. In the fifth and deciding set, the talented Esports star from Auburndale, Fla. did a masterful job protecting SSU's end defensively, making four saves en route to shutting the Lubbock Christian offense out. Downard scored a team-high 1,749 points in the five-game match.

DeBruyne, who followed with 1,705 points, posted one goal, one assist and three saves alone in the opening game of the five-game series -- which put the Bears ahead 1-0 in the match with a 2-1 triumph. DeBruyne also added in a goal and an assist in Game 2 and two assists to go along with two saves in Game 4, tallying up 1,705 points for the match.

Taylor, who collected 1,440 notches, was again unselfish and consistent in his own play. The Las Vegas, Nev. product notched a goal and two saves in Game 1, one goal, one assist and one save in Game 2 and one goal, one assist and two saves in Game 4 to complete another terrific and gutsy performance by the Shawnee State Rocket League squad.

NEXT UP

No. 11-seeded Shawnee State takes on No. 3 Illinois State, who won its Round of 16 match over Southern Mississippi by virtue of a forfeit, in the NACE Round of 8 Saturday evening at 8:30 p.m.