BETHANY, Okla. – The Crimson Storm of Southern Nazarene University Esports finished their record-breaking season as national runner-up in the NECC Rocket League National Championship, falling to Shenandoah University in a 4-1 best-of-seven series. Despite the final result, SNU's journey to the finals capped a year of milestones and program growth.
The championship match began with early fireworks. Just 34 seconds into Game 1, SNU struck first, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Shenandoah to take a quick lead. However, a clock malfunction forced officials to call for a full match reset. The stoppage not only nullified SNU's early advantage but also led to a significant delay, shifting the momentum entirely.
Shenandoah used the unexpected pause to their benefit. Refocused and having learned from the early misstep that allowed SNU to score, SU came out of the delay reenergized. From that point forward, it was all Hornets. Shenandoah swept the first three games with relentless pressure and near-perfect execution, holding the Crimson Storm to just one goal during that stretch.
Down 3-0 in the series, SNU responded with grit in Game 4, clawing back to take a hard-fought win and extend the series. But their rally was short-lived, as Shenandoah closed the door in Game 5 to capture the NECC Division 4 National Championship.
"This entire program worked so hard this year to place ourselves on the map in this very competitive field," said Chris Kyzer, Co-Director of SNU Esports. "Securing the first Great American Conference Championship back in the fall with our League of Legends team, to our runner-up finishes in Rocket League for the GAC and the NECC were so big for us this year. While we are sad to see our founding students graduate and move on, we are excited for the future."
Kyzer also took a moment to thank the SNU community for their support:
"We want to thank everyone who showed up to cheer our guys on. It was by far the largest number of spectators we have had in person. We also want to give a special shout-out to Josh 'SlewiJ' Lewis for creating and executing an amazing broadcast through our Twitch livestream."
Josh "SlewiJ" Lewis, a founding student member of SNU Esports, played an integral role in broadcasting all matches. His work behind the scenes helped bring the excitement of the competition to fans both locally and around the world, providing an unforgettable viewing experience.
The match also marked a turning point for the SNU program as it bid farewell to several foundational players. Team captain Zane "Bris" Wright, along with fellow seniors Drew "cdads1" Middendorf and Ben "Pablo" Martin, played their final matches in Crimson and White. The trio was instrumental in establishing the program and setting a standard of excellence for future competitors.
With their leadership paving the way, SNU is already preparing for next season. The Crimson Storm will continue competing at a high level in League of Legends, Rocket League, Call of Duty, Halo, Marvel Rivals, Smash Bros, and other emerging titles.
"I'm so proud of everything this program did this year," said
Austin Schoenfeldt, Co-Director of Esports. "The countless hours that were committed to this program by our mostly volunteer staff, to the dedication of all of our Esports students, I am truly grateful for everything, and I hope for continued success for this program."
Although the title slipped away, SNU Esports ends the year with its head held high, as a top-tier national contender with a strong foundation, a growing legacy, and a bright future ahead.
