Toms River, NJ - OCC Esports launched their 2021-22 season this week, competing in 5 games: Call of Duty: Cold War, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Hearthstone, and Overwatch.

CALL OF DUTY: COLD WAR

Nick Bushell 
Kyle Ruppert 
Nicholas Halkias
Brandon Carman 

Call of Duty 4v4 team lost to Larmine Community College. "The team is still working out its strategy and getting used to playing as a unit," remarked OCC Esports Head Coach John Ruhl. "It was a tough loss, but they will grow from the experience. Kyle Ruppert and Nicholas Halkias made their college debut for the Vikings and are eager to get their first college win."

ROCKET LEAGUE

Joshua Schiele
Nickolas Trindle 
Brandon Carman 

OCC's 3-person Rocket League team defeated Finger Lakes Community College. "Joshua Schiele and Nickolas Trindle are already very experienced Rocket League players, and they found their stride late in the match to win a close 3-2 set over Finger Lakes Community College," stated Coach Ruhl. "I think the OCC Rocket League team will be the new team to watch this season."

SUPER SMASH BROS. ULTIMATE

Ken Piscopo won via forfeit over Bryant Stranton Community College
Conner Zaccagna lost 0-3 to Calhoun Community College
Nickolas Trindle won 3-0 versus Pennsylvania Highlands Black Community College
Peter Dos Santos won 3-0 against Johnson Community College 
Justin Ritter lost 0-3 to Waubonsee Community College 
Nick Bushell won via forfeit over Bergen Community College 
Alex Restivo lost 3-2 to Albert State Community College 
Jackson French won via forfeit to Bryan Stranton Community College 
Kyle Ruppert lost 3-0 to Carl Albert State College 

"It was a good night for some of the Vikings," said Coach Ruhl. "Peter Dos Santos and Nick Trindle dominated in their college debuts. I expect big things from fellow newcomers Justin Ritter and Conner Zaccagna, but they struggled in their first match of the season. There were a handful of forfeits, and Alex Restivo showed a lot of improvement from last year, but lost a tight 3-2 match. I think we could have most of our team make the playoffs this year. It's going to be fun to watch."

HEARTHSTONE

Ken Piscopo lost to Shelton State Community College.

"Ken is picking up Hearthstone for the first time this season," recount Coach Ruhl. "He's still getting his fundamentals down, but I hope he can bounce back next week."

OCC Esports returns to action on Monday at 6pm and 8pm for Call of Duty and Rocket League, and on Wednesday at 6pm and 7pm in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Hearthstone play.

OVERWATCH

Kyle Ruppert 
Nicholas Bushell 
Jackson French 
Reed Russell
Alan Demoura 
Nick Trindle  

The Vikings started their 1st season with an Overwatch team with a 3-0 win against Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, and are now 1-0 on the season. Kyle Ruppert picked up his first non-forfeit varsity win. He said that the team gelled well and played well as a unit. Fellow newcomers Reed Russell and Alan Demoura got their first varsity wins and said they had a lot of fun. Jackson French and Nicholas Bushell joined their first team Esports games this season. Jackson is playing both SSBU and Overwatch. Nick is playing COD, SSBU, and Overwatch. "Nick Trindle has been great to have on the team this year," remarked Coach Ruhl. "He's mainly a Rocket League player, but decided to jump into Overwatch so OCC could complete their 6 man roster. The team's confidence is super high right now. They are looking to carrying on this momentum to next week."

OCC Esports returns to action on Monday at 6pm and 8pm for Call of Duty and Rocket League, on Wednesday at 6pm and 7pm in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Hearthstone play, and on Friday for Overwatch.