As the end of the semester creeps even closer, the University of New Haven's Varsity Esports Program finishes up its regular season matches. Each and every team across all ten of our offered titles put their best foot forward, working as hard as they could every day to improve and strive for first place.

14 teams. 5 leagues. 21 matches per week.

However, for many teams, the fight is only beginning. For many leagues, we are entering the playoff season, where only the top teams in each title and each division qualify to have a chance to fight for the championship title.

Apex Legends

Coach: Bryson "BrysonG" Gundry 

Although Apex Legends starts later in the semester than most titles, they have shown great growth in their skill level and communication as individuals and as a team. Originally led by Austin "ShadowFlare3240" Carrion, a veteran member of the Varsity Apex Legends team, Captains Amanda "FlightTheSewerDemon" Plantier and Ayden "The10th_Doctor_" Schulz have taken over, excited to lead their team to victory. They are currently placed 30th out of 49 teams in the Open Division of the Octane Collegiate, ready to continue moving up the rankings.
 

Counter-Strike 2

Coach: David "speedrush64" Pendleton, Nathan "Orf" Seifert

Coach David "speedrush64" Pendleton took his passion for Counter-Strike 2 and used it to formulate one of New Haven's newest teams. With a ten-man roster, all passionate players excited to learn a new game on a competitive level, they blasted through placements, annihilating the competition. 

The CS2 team was placed in Division III and is currently led by Jacob "buttwrist" Butkus, a new member of the Varsity Esports program. The team's current record is 4 wins and 5 losses, with 2 more games coming up over the next two weeks, against Dalhousie University and the University of North Carolina - Charlotte.
 

League of Legends

Coach: Strompest (Esports Performance Academy)

Despite many players from our League of Legends team having graduated the year prior, the Varsity and Junior Varsity teams gained a total of 6 new members, bringing the total to 11 players. 

The Junior Varsity team, managed by Varsity member Christopher "dalted" Cardenas, has had an incredible season, despite 80% of their starting roster being brand new to New Haven's Esports program. They've gone 4-2 for the season, constantly improving with each match.

The Varsity team, on the other hand, is captained by Kiril "RealPants" Samiahulin. Long-time player for the Varsity Esports program, Kiril is a staple member of the League of Legends team. He has led his team to an even 4 wins, 4 losses for the semester, with one match remaining against Southern New Hampshire University.
 

Marvel Rivals

Coach: Bryson "BrysonG" Gundry

At the University of New Haven, our Marvel Rivals teams have quite a reputation. Over twenty students tried out at the beginning of the semester, and the new game quickly became our second-most popular title.

Due to the rising popularity, a Junior Varsity team was created for Marvel Rivals, a brand new roster filled with old and new faces alike. Led by freshman Dixon "HulkZucchini" McDonald, the JV team almost went undefeated for the season, currently 5-2, automatically qualifying them for playoffs despite their most recent loss.

The Varsity roster for Marvel Rivals is captained by Skyler "SKYLARKMAN" Johnson, a current graduate student and veteran esports player. Johnson, alongside 90% of the current varsity roster, is a returning member from last year, having formed the team together when the game first released in 2024. After winning the CT Esports Showcase last spring, the team was ecstatic and ready for this season, placing in Division II against the best of the best. Overall, the team has gone 4-3 for the season.

As both teams prepare to enter the playoff matches for their respective divisions, we wish them the best of luck.
 

Rainbow 6 Siege

Coach: David "speedrush64" Pendleton

Many familiar faces returned for yet another season playing Rainbow 6 Siege for the University of New Haven, taking new players under their wing, training them to compete. Both teams had a completely new makeup, but took it in stride for a successful season.

The Junior Varsity team, also known as Blue, has been taken over by veteran Rainbow 6 Siege player Troy "Baki" Jackson. He worked tirelessly with many of the new players, introducing them to the game, as well as the world of esports and competitions within video games. Although only going 2-5 for the season, the Blue team is excited to keep learning.

The Gold team, our Varsity roster, is comprised of many familiar faces from within the program, including the current captain, Samuel "FaultyTuba11107" Albrecht. Previously, the captain for Blue in the previous year, Albrecht, and his team rigorously prepared for the season, placing in Division II. Their final score ended up being 2-6; however, they all learned from facing some of the best teams in NECC.
 

Rocket League

Coach: Bryson "BrysonG" Gundry

Although a small team, the University of New Haven's Rocket League team is a force to be reckoned with. Led by long-standing program member Glenn "Auryx" Scott, he has continued to lead his team to victory time and time again, showing just how powerful they are. Competing in three different leagues, NECC, NACE, and ECC, they have worked around the clock in both practices and scrims to fight for a championship title. With only one match remaining against the University of Ottawa, their current record is 13 wins and 6 losses.

Super Smash Bros

Coach: Sethlon (Esports Performance Academy)

Despite having a Varsity and Junior Varsity roster in previous years, our Super Smash Bros Ultimate players have condensed into one roster, led by senior captains Logan "Fart" Starr and Alex "Deception" Fishler. With a wide roster of players with various skillsets, experience, and character pools, this team participated in three leagues, NECC, NACE, and ECC, ready to dominate the competition. They end their regular season with 13 wins and 8 losses across all three leagues, while also qualifying for playoffs in the NECC league.

Street Fighter 6

Coach: Nathan "Orf" Seifert

A primarily student-led team, Vincent "bigman" Troy, alongside many other passionate members of the fighting games community, came together to formulate a brand-new Street Fighter 6 team. Although not a team-based game, these students have rapidly come together to practice alongside one another and to teach each other new skills and techniques. Because of this strong community, this team has rapidly improved, shooting up the ranks as they participate in weekly matches against various other students.

Overwatch 2

Coach: MeadXR (Esports Performance Academy)

Over the last few years, the University of New Haven's Overwatch 2 teams have been a force to be reckoned with every semester. Whether it was participating in NECC, ECC, or NACE, they have taken home championship titles, qualified for playoffs multiple times, and have experienced rapid growth.

The Junior Varsity team, led by returning Captain Talon "Jollification" Wilterdink, is filled with a variety of players, each hoping to learn and grow from every match, scrimmage, and VOD review. Placed in Division VI for NECC and Group B for ECC, the JV roster has dominated the competition, going undefeated in NECC and 2-1 in ECC. They have truly shown how powerful and hard-working they are. They will finish out their regular season against Queen's University, looking to take home that final regular season win.

With the entire Varsity Overwatch roster back again for another season, they also decided to take on the ECC league. Led by Joshua "JRaynor196" Raynor, a returning Captain and long-standing pillar of the esports community at the University of New Haven, the Varsity team placed in Division III for NECC and Group A in ECC. Only losing one match in each of the leagues, they have gone 8-2, with only one match remaining against Université de Sherbrooke. With both teams rapidly preparing for playoffs, we wish them the best of luck.

VALORANT

Coach: David "speedrush64" Pendleton

Having faced many roster changes since last year, the VALORANT team had quite a rocky start to the semester. However, under the Captainship of Simone "RabidHealer" Motley, they have passionately entered the fight, practicing constantly to develop further as a team. Although the VALORANT team went 0-5 this season, they are all extremely proud of how they have grown individually and as a team, working together to improve at the game and rank up. 

Although we only have a few rosters that have qualified for playoffs across their respective leagues, we thank each and every player for all the hard work they have put in over the last few months, and we wish those teams still competing the best of luck in their future matches.

Go Chargers!