BECKLEY, W.Va. — WVU Tech esports continued ECAC Super Smash Bros. Ultimate action Monday night, battling SUNY Alfred State in a four-man crew battle inside the Golden Bear Esports Lab. Despite several strong individual showings, the Golden Bears dropped a competitive 2–0 decision to the Pioneers (12–11, 12–8) in Division B (Group 1) play.
In Game One, Ralph Aaron Etaba Ateba (Wreck) and Rylan Ellison (RyeBread) each took a stock from Alfred State's opener, Palutena. Clayton Wilson (ScytheC) then cleared Palutena with Bowser before adding two more stocks against Ice Climbers. Mark Imbing (MarkieBlue) closed the opener with an impressive six-stock performance as Wii Fit Trainer, taking the last stock from Ice Climbers, three from Mythra/Pyra, and two from Cloud in the narrow 12–11 finish.
Game Two saw another strong start for the Golden Bears. Wilson opened by taking a stock from Palutena, followed by Tyler Vines (Typoint5), who used R.O.B. to eliminate Palutena and add another against Byleth. Evan Ingram (Dunks) scored two more stocks with Falco to knock out Byleth, while Imbing added two final stocks from Mythra/Pyra before Alfred State closed out the set, 12–8, to take the overall match.
Match Totals
Game One — Alfred State 12, WVU Tech 11
Game Two — Alfred State 12, WVU Tech 8
What's Next
WVU Tech (0–2 ECAC) returns to action Monday, Oct. 13, hosting Sacred Heart University at 8 p.m. Matches stream live on Twitch at twitch.tv/wvutechgoldenbears.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 101
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a fast-paced fighting game where players try to knock their opponent off the stage instead of depleting a health bar. Each fighter begins with three stocks (lives), and the higher their damage percentage, the farther they'll fly when hit. Lose all three stocks, and you're out of that round.
At the collegiate level, teams compete in crew battles — four players per side, sharing 12 total stocks. When one player is eliminated, the next teammate enters and the match continues until one team loses all 12 stocks. The format rewards strong openers, reliable anchors, and smart counter-picks based on matchups and stage choice.
WVU Tech competes in ECAC Division B (Group 1), facing schools from across the country in weekly best-of-three matchups. All matches are played remotely from the Golden Bear Esports Lab in Beckley and stream live on twitch.tv/wvutechgoldenbears.
