Loyola Esports wins two to start spring season

NEW ORLEANS – The Wolf Pack Esports program began its spring schedule last week, competing in The Sun Conference and NACE Premier in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The Wolf Pack dominated in matches against St. Thomas (Fla.) and Oklahoma Christian to start their respective seasons with 3-0 and 1-0 records. Both matchups on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, were sweeping victories, winning straight sets, 2-0.

The Pack will return to action this week when it faces Sun Conference opponent, Western Illinois on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m. Loyola will also compete on Thursday, Feb. 13 with a matchup against the University of Texas at Dallas in NACE competition.

Anthony Nodolski's Olimar got the Pack going to start the St. Thomas matchup, taking down three straight opponents. The junior swept Ridley, then proceeded to take down Lucas and Sephiroth while only losing one stock to each of them, starting the Wolf Pack with a 3-0 lead. St. Thomas' Marth traded stocks with Nodolski to end Loyola's run, but the damage had already been done. Malachi Lee brought in Dr. Mario to close out the first crew battle with a win, 1-0

Lily Neeley entered the ring with Ganondorf to start set two, getting wins over both Marth and Meta Knight. STU's Lucas eliminated Neeley's final stock, but the Wolf Pack still had a 2-1 lead. Samuel Spiegel's Steve took down Lucas, then traded stocks with Sephiroth to leave STU with one stock in the match. The Maroon and Gold sent in Jigglypuff to take Sephiroth's last stock, giving Loyola their third win in Sun Conference play.

Lee's Terry started Loyola's matchup against Oklahoma Christian the same way Nodolski began the previous match, getting three straight wins. After beating King Dedede, Fox, and Hero, Lee fell to King K. Rool, but Spiegel's Steve traded stocks with the King of the Kremlings to secure the first crew battle, 1-0. 

Spiegel kicked off the second set with a close victory in a ditto match against OCU's Steve, 3-2. Spiegel fell to K. Rool in the following fight, but Neeley traded stocks to defeat OCU's second fighter. After OCU defeated Neeley with Hero, Nodolski entered Thursday's match, eliminating both Hero and Cloud to seal victory for the Wolf Pack.

Sun Conference Results

First Crew Battle:
Olimar (Anthony Nodolski) def. Ridley (STU), 3-0
Olimar (Anthony Nodolski) def. Lucas (STU), 3-1
Olimar (Anthony Nodolski) def. Sephiroth (STU), 3-1
Marth (STU) def. Olimar (Anthony Nodolski), 1-1
Dr. Mario (Malachi Lee) def. Marth (STU), 2-1
Loyola leads match, 1-0
 

Second Crew Battle:
Ganondorf (Lily Neeley) def. Marth (STU), 3-1
Ganondorf (Lily Neeley) def. Meta Knight (STU), 3-1 
Lucas (STU) def. Ganondorf (Lily Neeley), 1-0
Steve (Samuel Spiegel) def. Lucas (STU), 3-1
Sephiroth (STU) def. Steve (Samuel Spiegel), 2-2
Jigglypuff (Loyola) def. Sephiroth (STU), 1-0
Loyola wins match, 2-0

NACE Premier Results

First Crew Battle:
Terry (Malachi Lee) def. King Dedede (OCU), 3-0
Terry (Malachi Lee) def. Fox (OCU), 3-1
Terry (Malachi Lee) def. Hero (OCU), 3-1
King K. Rool (OCU) def. Terry (Malachi Lee), 1-1
Steve (Samuel Spiegel) def. King K. Rool (OCU), 2-1
Loyola leads match, 1-0
 

Second Crew Battle:
Steve (Samuel Spiegel) def. Steve (OCU), 3-2
King K. Rool (OCU) def. Steve (Samuel Spiegel), 1-1
Ganondorf (Lily Neeley) def. King K. Rool (OCU), 2-2
Hero (OCU) def. Ganondorf (Lily Neeley), 1-0
Olimar (Anthony Nodolski) def. Hero (OCU), 3-0
Olimar (Anthony Nodolski) def. Cloud (OCU), 3-2
Loyola wins match, 2-0