HENNIKER, N.H. - The NEC Valorant proved that good things do in fact come in threes as the team won their third straight National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) Division VII title, concluding the season with a 9-1 record and another successful playoff run.
After repeating as NECC Champions with a Winter 2024 title this past December, NEC Valorant completed the threepeat by defeating Wilkes University, 3-1, on Monday night. In the quarterfinals, NEC eliminated Widener University, 2-1, and, in the semifinals, the 'Grims ousted Goldey-Beacom College, 2-0. The Valorant win capped off an impressive season in the NECC where the Grims finished first in Division VII by total national points for the 2024-25 season. NEC's 330 points was 92 points higher than the next highest team (Kettering University, 238).
The title game, a best-of-five round matchup, against Wilkes did not start how the 'Grims had hoped; The Colonels came out hot and the Pilgrims fell in Game 1, 9-13. However, NEC began to lock in and find their stride towards the end of the round – momentum they would swing into Game 2. The game would go into overtime, but NEC felt as if they had figured out their opponents and claimed the 14-12 round victory. In Game 3, it really felt like Wilkes was beginning to be playing on the Pilgrims' terms and NEC would take the 2-1 round lead with a 13-10 win. One win away from completing the threepeat, NEC jumped out to an early advantage in Game 4. Up 12-9 entering a save round, the 'Grims came through with the championship-clinching win to take Game 4, 13-9, and the title match, 3-1.
Senior captain Sydney Bucci (booki) thrived as the in-game leader for the 'Grims while securing 41 kills, 32 assists, and a team-high 19 bomb plants. Her leadership and direction played a pivotal role in the final outcome, and the graduating senior capped off her Valorant career by securing the threepeat with a pair of kills in the title-clinching win in Game 4. Junior Anthony Aguiar (anthoknee) led the team with an impressive 81 kills while also having the fewest deaths on the team with 53. He added four bomb plants and three bomb defuses while supplying consistent production all night. He was at his best in Game 3 where he had 26 kills – the most of any player all night.
Junior Noel Huliselan (.iamsuperman) followed right behind Aguiar with 77 kills while also having a team-high 47 assists. Huliselan had a big Game 4 while playing as a brand-new role, helping to carry the 'Grims late. Sophomore Eris Liebster (Thena101) continued to play an integral role in a third-straight championship, compiling 70 kills to just 56 deaths. Eris added five bomb plants, and a team-best six bomb defuses. Junior Patrick Tewksbury (RebornTricky) supplied the 'Grims with 71 kills and 34 assists as the junior took part in his second NECC Championship. His 25 kills in Game 2 were the second most on the night.
NEC Valorant now advances to Nationals which start on Monday, April 14th and will run through the end of April – with a break in the middle for a long Easter weekend. Follow the Pilgrims on their run at the national level on Twitch at NECesports!
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