FREDERICK, Md. – The Hood College esports team wrapped up the regular season for its spring games, as teams competed in EA FC (formerly FIFA), Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, and Overwatch 2.
EA FC (formerly FIFA)
The Blazers started the season off with a matchup against George Fox University, the team who knocked them out in the round of 16 in the postseason last year. Coming into the game with a chip on their shoulder, Hood knew what they needed to do to not have history repeat itself, defeating the Bruins and starting the season off on the right foot.
The next match was a difficult one against Conestoga College, but despite the falling in the end, the Blazers got a free win when the University of Idaho did not show up to their match. After another close loss against Clarke, the team took one more win to finish the regular season 3-2.
The record is good enough to make the postseason tournament, where they will face Caldwell University Monday, April 1.
Super Smash Brothers Ultimate
The season started with a close loss against Widener, but the team immediately bounced back with an overwhelming win against Misericordia in the next match.
Unfortunately, finishing the season with three straight losses would knock the Blazers out of postseason qualification, but the final matches were each quite close, giving the team a good foundation for the next season.
Overwatch 2
The Overwatch 2 spring season had a hot start for Hood, with the team getting their first win against the University of Cincinnati. Although the Blazers lost the first round on a control map, they made the in-game adjustments they needed to win the next three rounds and secure their first win of the season.
Their next match against Thomas College went in a similar fashion, as Hood lost the first map on control point again, but just as in the previous week, the team picked it up when they needed to and ultimately finish the match in the winning column.
A match against Stevenson would go differently, but still in favor of the Blazers, as the team made quick work of the Mustangs in a clean 3-0 sweep of the interstate rival.
Facing off against the HCC Hawks, Hood once again took the first round in a similar fashion to last week, and despite the Hawks tying it up by winning the second round, the Blazers finished strong and took the next two rounds, claiming victory on the day.
Looking for a perfect season heading into the final matchup versus Williamson Gold, Hood once again got off to a strong start, looking to sweep the Gold and finish the season undefeated. Unfortunately, Williamson would prolong their defeat enough to force a decisive fifth round where they Blazers would ultimately lose their first match of the season.
Heading into the playoffs against Alvernia, the team dropped another very close match, taking it to five rounds once again before ultimately falling and being knocked out.
The Overwatch 2 team will play in one more tournament separate to the season, hosted by the game's developer, Blizzard Entertainment.
Call of Duty
The Call of Duty team competes in their first round of the tournament Friday, April 5.
