BECKLEY, W.Va. — WVU Tech esports opened its ECAC Super Smash Bros. Ultimate season Monday night in a four-man crew battle format, dropping a competitive 2–0 decision to Providence College inside the Golden Bear Esports Lab.
The Golden Bears pushed both games to the wire, falling by just two stocks each time (12–10, 12–10). Freshman, sophomore, and veteran players alike made their mark in the debut outing, showcasing depth and promise for their Fall campaign in the ECAC's Division B (Group 1).
In Game One, Clayton Wilson (ScytheC) of Petroleum, W.Va., set the tone with five stocks as Bowser, sweeping Providence's opener, who also played a Bowser, before taking two stocks from a Yoshi in the #2 spot. Evan Ingram (Dunks) of Beckley, W.Va., followed with two stocks using Falco, taking the Yoshi's last and getting one from Providence's Sephiroth in the #3 spot before falling. Mark Imbing (MarkieBlue) of Beckley, W.Va., came up against the Sephiroth and managed a stock with Wii Fit Trainer, but would also fall, bringing up freshman Ralph Aaron Etaba Ateba (Wreck) of Ijamsville, Md. as Terry. He'd finally clear the Sephiroth but lost two stocks in the process, moving on to take a stock from Providence's anchor, a Joker, before falling to give the Friars a 1-0 match lead.
In Game Two, Wreck opened with a five-stock run, taking three from the leadoff Bowser and two more from Providence's Yoshi in the #2 spot. Rylan Ellison (RyeBread) of Beckley, W.Va., followed with two more as Joker, finishing off the Yoshi and getting to the Friars' #3 in the order, also playing a Joker, but would lose his final two stocks in the twin matchup. Ingram came up as Falco, but was swept 3-0 by the Joker, leaving it up to Tyler Vines (Typoint5) of Daniels, W.Va., to bring it back with R.O.B. He'd clear the Joker's last two stocks without losing any of his own, but fell 3-1 to Providence's anchor, who played Game & Watch, and the Friars held on for the 12–10 game win and 2-0 overall match win (best of three).
📊 Match Totals
Game One — Providence 12, WVU Tech 10
Game Two — Providence 12, WVU Tech 10
What's Next
WVU Tech (0-1 ECAC) continues league play Monday, Oct. 6, hosting SUNY Alfred State at 8 p.m. Matches stream live on Twitch at twitch.tv/wvutechgoldenbears.
