WATERTOWN S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) The Lake Area Technical College (LATC) Esports Siege team wrapped up their first season after a challenging Nationals playoff match against Wichita State Tech (WSUT). Entering the match as the fifth seed, LATC faced off against the fourth-seeded WSUT team in a best-of-three series but ultimately fell 2-0. The online match attracted over 35 viewers, adding to the excitement as fans supported their teams.
LATC started strong on the first map, Clubhouse, but WSUT’s coordinated play led to a 7-3 win. The second map, Chalet, followed a similar pattern, with WSUT securing another 7-3 victory, ending the series.
Coach LeBlanc acknowledged WSUT’s preparation and performance: “They were well-organized and countered our key players effectively. Despite the loss, I’m proud of our team’s achievement in reaching Nationals in our first semester.”
Team captain Kaian Enockson expressed optimism for the future, noting the valuable experience gained from the super regionals and Nationals. “We’ve identified strategies to improve and elevate our game for next semester,” Enockson said.
The tournament saw several upsets, including seven-seed Guildford Technical Community College defeating second-seed Lackawanna and Northern Virginia Community College toppling third-seeded Laredo Palominos. Coach LeBlanc commented, “This time of year, anyone can get hot. Seeds don’t mean much if you’re on top of your game.”
Despite the early exit, LATC’s Siege team has much to celebrate and build upon. With standout performances and playoff experience in their first semester, the team is eager to return stronger in the spring.