Scranton, Pa. — Marywood University Overwatch Gold reached the NECC Division 8 finals with a 3-2 win over Arcadia University Grey on Nov. 20. The Pacers will face off against the winner of Waynesburg University and Saint Lawrence University in pursuit of the program's first championship.

After a 6-2 season, Marywood Overwatch Gold claimed seed number 6 in the NECC Overwatch 2 Divisional playoffs. The season was strong for the Gold team, only dropping a total of eight maps across the entire season. After a near-flawless first four weeks, Marywood lost a series to Edinboro University in week 5. In the following week Marywood was shut out by Arcadia University Grey. With a stellar showing in the final week of the regular season against Wilkes University, Marywood was able to clinch a playoff spot.

Week one of playoffs had Marywood slated against the University of Albany's Purple roster, hailing from the Northeast A division. The Gold roster had never played against UAlbany prior, yet managed a perfect shutout. This heralded the first time Marywood Gold had ever made
it to semifinals, where the team would have a rematch against a team that previously bested them- Arcadia University Grey.

With the threat of elimination hanging over the heads of Marywood Gold, the first map went the way of Arcadia on Lijiang Tower. Marywood took a moment to refocus, and the team was able to return fire with a victory on New Queen Street. With the series tied 1-1, Marywood
would find themselves outmatched on King's Row, but the Gold team's map pick of Suravasa would allow Marywood an avenue forward, with a strategic hero ban helping turn the tide. The semifinals match would mark the first time Arcadia played a fifth map in any series this season with the Knights' Grey team selecting New Junk City. After their offensive push ground to a halt in the face of Marywood Gold, the team would mount a strong attack. With five minutes on the clock, the Marywood roster would only need to cross mere meters to claim victory- yet it was not an easy task, coming down to under a minute left in Marywood's time bank before they would, eventually, reach their goal and earn a spot in the grand finals.

With the match between Waynesburg University and St. Lawrence University still to come, Marywood Gold will have a strong competition either way- St. Lawrence University not losing a single map across the entire regular season, and Waynesburg University taking a map
away from Marywood Gold's then-perfect season.

Marywood Gold will seek to make history in a First to 4 matchup this Friday, December 5th, at 8pm EST. Make sure to tune in on https://www.twitch.tv/marywoodesports and follow the team's Twitter and Instagram accounts at @marywoodesports for more information and to support the team!