Rocket League Gold Advances in NECC Playoffs

PITTSBURGH --- Carlow University Rocket League Gold (6-1) defeated Carleton University, located in Ontario, 3-1 in a best of five matchup in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) playoffs Thursday night. The night was historic for Carlow esports who made their playoff debut and collected the first post-season win in program history.

Game 1

Game one was a dominant effort from Carlow from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. Carlow kept Carleton on their heels as Brady Fest (brad.) and AJ Nguyen (FallinOnXbox) each contributed an unassisted goal. Fest (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brentwood HS) also contributed five saves to the effort which produced a 2-0 shutout victory to stake Carlow to a 1-0 lead in the best of five match.

Game 2

Carleton stole a page out of the Carlow playbook in game two, as they came out in a full offensive blitz. Carleton scored first and then doubled up on Carlow to extend the lead to 2-0. Carlow combined for four saves on six shots, but the Ravens' defense stood strong saving three of Carlow's four shots and took game two by a score of 2-1 and evened the match score at 1-1.

Game 3

Not pleased with dropping game two, the Carlow offense came to dazzle in game three while the defense was able to stave off the Carleton press. Fest, Nguyen and Angelo Fernandez (Gelotin) each scored twice and registered at least three shots apiece. Carlow won game three by a score of 6-0, despite being outshot 12-10 by Carleton. Fest registered a staggering nine saves for Carlow in game three as they went up 2-1 in the series.

Game 4

Game four proved to be the most exciting match of the evening as Carlow clawed back from a 3-1 deficit to take the match 4-3 in regulation. Carlow found themselves trailing 3-1 with 2:50 remaining in the game. The Celtics cut the lead to 3-2 with 2:00 left on the clock, with Fest scoring his second goal on a tip in from a Fernandez (Williamsport, Pa./St. John Neumann Regional Academy) pass. Carlow pulled even on a coast-to-coast aerial goal from Fest with just 1:02 remaining on the clock and both teams deadlocked 3-3. Carleton registered two shots before Carlow could apply a press — which saw Fest make a steal at half court and beat all three Carleton defenders to put Carlow up 4-3 with 11 seconds remaining. Carlow was able to defend the lead and punch their ticket to the next round of the NECC Playoffs.

Stat lines:

Fest contributed eight goals and 22 saves on the evening. Fernandez registered two goals, eight shots and a key assist. Nguyen (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway HS) tallied three goals, two saves and six shots on the night.

Carlow advances to face the Wright State Riders (5-2) in an NECC best of seven semifinal matchup. Carlow's only loss of the season came at the hands of Wright State, losing 3-1 in conference play, earlier this year. The Celtics and the Raiders square off April 3, 2025 at 8 p.m. and will be streaming live at www.twitch.tv/carlowesports.

Results

Carlow 2 | Carleton 0
Carlow 1 | Carleton 2
Carlow 6 | Carleton 0
Carlow 4 | Carleton 3