MISHAWAKA, Ind. --- The Bethel University Esports teams start the year strong as Super Smash Bros., Rocket League, and League of Legends defeat their opponents.  

Super Smash Bros. grabbed a win in their first match of the season vs. Alma College with a 2-0 in a GLEC showdown. Sophomore Gus Pogue led the team with a 2-1 record and took seven total stocks in game two. Freshman Blake Wehlage went 2-0 and took four stocks without losing any. 

Rocket League won 3-0 vs. Concord but lost to Northern Virginia CC 3-2. Freshman Jorge Rangel and Junior transfer Gustavo Alvarez played well in their first collegiate matches. 

League of Legends got a 2-0 win vs. Defiance, with Freshman Cody Copeland leading the team with 32 kills, 16 assists, and a KDA of six. Senior Luke Wilson had eight kills, 23 assists, and 5.17 KDA. 

Valorant lost 2-1 vs. Indiana Wesleyan, with Sophomore Nate Kropiewnicki leading the team with 56 kills, 22 assists, and 2.0 KDA. 

Dan Wort said, "We got off to a good start to the fall season this past weekend with teams going 3-2. Our Smash Bros. and League of Legends teams started the Great Lakes Esports Conference with a victory, while our Valorant team dropped a close one to Indiana Wesleyan. Our rocket league team had two pre-season placement matches in the NECC conference, going 1-1." 

For the latest information on each of Bethel University's 31 intercollegiate athletic teams, visit BUPilots.com or follow the Pilots on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @BUPilots or YouTube at /BethelSportsNetwork.