COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Columbia College Esports program competed in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Championship this weekend at the LevelUP Arena, located inside AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk in Overland Park, Kansas. The Cougars entered the competition as the overall No. 1 seed, carrying a perfect 8-0 record during the regular season. The championship was a double-elimination tournament consisting of the top four teams from the regular season.
Seeds
- Columbia College (8-0)
- Central Methodist University (7-1)
- Saint Ambrose University (6-2)
- Missouri Valley College (5-3)
In the first round, Columbia took on No. 4-seeded Missouri Valley College. The Vikings proved to be up for the challenge, pushing the Cougars early in the tournament with four close games, each decided by a single goal.
In the second round, the Cougars faced No. 2-seeded Central Methodist University, whose only loss of the season had come against Columbia (3-0). A last-second goal from the Eagles sent game one into overtime, but the Cougars prevailed, taking the series 4-0.
Columbia would meet Central Methodist once more in the Grand Finals. The Cougars made quick work of the Eagles with a 4-0 sweep, finishing with a perfect 11-0 record and securing the program's first HAAC Championship.
Cougar Player Performances
Alex "Gske" Gustke
- Avg. Score: 495
- Goals: 13
- Assists: 10
- Saves: 5
- Shooting Percentage: 22%
Tony "Ryolite" Hall
- Avg. Score: 559
- Goals: 14
- Assists: 6
- Saves: 12
- Shooting Percentage: 25%
Reyn "Xerx" Kiyota
- Avg. Score: 337
- Goals: 4
- Assists: 8
- Saves: 11
- Shooting Percentage: 14%
