IMMACULATA, Pa.-Since beginning its first season of competition in October 2020, the Immaculata ESports team has consistently made history throughout the course of the year, from launching four games to earning its first victories in these games. On Monday, April 12, head coach Sean Dwyer and Immaculata will continue their historic season with an appearance in the Inaugural Atlantic East Rocket League Championship game against Cabrini beginning at 8 p.m.
 
The Immaculata and Cabrini rocket league squads are no strangers to one another as the Macs and Cavaliers have met twice already this season, with Immaculata prevailing in each of those contests by identical 3-0 finals. In the first meeting between the two rivals to open Atlantic East play, Cabrini took Immaculata to overtime in the first two games of the match, with Immaculata prevailing by a final of 3-2 and 2-1 in each of those games thanks to OT goals from Zachary Malcolm and Jacob Fitzgerald. In the third game, Immaculata used a balanced attack as all three starters (Bradley, Fitzgerald, and Malcolm) all scored in the clinching victory to open Atlantic East Rocket League play a perfect 1-0. In the second meeting of the season between Immaculata and Cabrini, the match was another low-scoring affair. Still, Immaculata once again prevailed in all three games (2-1, 4-1, 3-0) to defeat Cabrini 3-0 once again to remain perfect in Atlantic East play. In the second contest, Immaculata was balanced offensively once again as Bradley, Fitzgerald, and Malcolm all scored goals for the Macs, but it was Fitzgerald who stood out as he ended his match with four goals and four assists to help lead the Immaculata offense.

Across the season series with the Cavaliers, Immaculata has outscored its rival by a 17-5 margin throughout the six games. However, it should be noted that Cabrini has been the only team in Atlantic East play to hold the Macs under 10 goals over the course of a match, as the Mighty Macs have tallied at least 18 goals in each of their four other Atlantic East victories.
 
"Cabrini always plays us tough," said Dwyer. "In the first matchup, they took us to overtime twice, so there is definitely a game to be had on Monday night. It is also always a challenge to face a team three times, so I think the first game of the match will really set the tone for how things are going to go," acknowledged Dwyer.
 
In Atlantic East play, Immaculata has played to a perfect 6-0 record, outscoring its opposing by a gaping 95-13 margin with one complete shutout over Neumann in the third match of the season (outscored the Knights 20-0). Immaculata has been very balanced offensively throughout the year as all five of its players have scored goals this season, led by 36 goals apiece from Fitzgerald and Malcolm. Bradley and freshman Kieran Payton have also been consistently dangerous options on the offensive end for Immaculata, logging 12 and eight goals, respectively, while Kevin Hegarty has also added three goals on the year to help bolster the Immaculata offense.
 
"I have been extremely impressed with our development over the course of the first year," stated Dwyer. "We have always had talented players, but I have seen the team grow together, trust one another, and make sure to play a complete team game. The fruit of this development, which is the opportunity for a Conference Championship, is tremendously exciting," continued Dwyer.
 
With a victory on Monday evening, Immaculata will earn an automatic bid to the Collegiate ESports National Championship Tournament (CENC), it was announced by the Atlantic East on Thursday, April 8. The CENC, which will be held April 29-May 2, will feature the top Rocket League teams from across the nation and all levels of NCAA competition.
 
The opportunity for a first-year program to play for a Conference Championship and subsequent bid to the CENC Tournament is not lost on the Macs first-year head coach. When asked about this opportunity, Dwyer said, "This is certainly something that we are excited for. Our players are very talented and have been working so hard throughout the year, so it is great to see it payoff this year. This will also pay significant dividends for us moving forward," concluded Dwyer.
 
The Championship is set to begin at 8 p.m. A live stream of the match will be available via the National Association of College Esports Twitch Channel.