By Danny Appleford
Boise State Esports’ Blue Overwatch roster put together another impressive season in the NECC, falling in the championship to UC Santa Cruz*
Boise State Blue were undefeated during the Gladiators regular season with a 9-0 scoreline and faced off against the second seeded UC Santa Cruz who were 7-2 when the season ended. The NECC tournament saw Boise get revenge for last semester’s championship loss to Midland in the Semifinals, while UC Santa Cruz beat Fresno State on the other side of the bracket. The Grand Final match came down to Santa Cruz against Boise State Blue.
Since Boise State Blue was number-one seeded coming into the tournament, with an undefeated record, they were favored to win the event. Unfortunately, the Broncos dug themselves a hole they could not quite climb back out off, falling behind 3-0 in the best of seven series, but Boise State fought back towards the end, determined to avoid being swept by the second seed in the grand final. Boise State forced a tie on map 4 before winning the next two maps and appearing to be on the cusp of a reverse sweep down 3-2. However UC Santa Cruz was able to hold off the Broncos winning the seventh map.
With a scoreline of 4-2-1, the Grand Final tournament for the Gladiator division of the NECC Overwatch League, went the way of second seeded UC Santa Cruz. Boise State Blue still had an impressive showing throughout the tournament and finished 2nd in place of the Slugs.
* Editor’s Note – (The NECC has since vacated the championship from UC Santa Cruz due to use of ineligible players in the playoffs)