Written by Harley Adler
In a local match-up, Marywood University and Misericordia University Blue found themselves opposing each other in Division V of the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Crews season.
Marywood, sporting a 4-1 record, sought to bring home another win to put them in contention for the top seed in the division, and Misericordia hoped to earn a win to move up in the standings.
Marywood, with their 2,000 square foot esports facility, chose to host Misericordia Blue for the first in-person match in the NECC East A Division. On Sunday, March 15th, Misericordia would step foot in the Nazareth Student Center for a face off against Marywood’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster.
Marywood’s lineup, composed of Brayden Bogdon, Finn Bright, Luke Magnotta, Peyton McGrath, Bobby Mildner, Joshua Pirrello, AJ Piszel, and Ryan Snyder, previously qualified for playoffs in Fall 2025. Misericordia’s roster, hosting Hayden Digennaro, Jacob Tash, Aydan Kirby, Zachary Anspach, and Michael Bush, continues their quest for a strong season finish.
Marywood would fire off against Misericordia University Blue with a strong start, taking a multiple-stock lead over the Misericordia roster. Not to be outdone, the Blue team would fight back, taking down multiple players from Marywood. Ultimately, the first game in the Bo3 would go the way of Marywood with a two stock differential.
Regrouping after the first match, the Marywood squad would convene to discuss strategy. Misericordia’s roster would shake things up, playing a different selection of characters in the second game- something that Marywood also anticipated. Marywood led the first round of Game 2 with Ryan Snyder, taking multiple stocks off of Misericordia- though each subsequent player from the Blue roster would chip away at the Marywood stock pool, putting the Marywood team onto their second-to-last player.
AJ Piszel would wrap the series with two of his stocks remaining, taking the second game with Marywood’s final stock pool at five.
With the series wrapped up, each team would express their thoughts on the experience.
“Playing Misericordia Blue on campus was amazing,” recalls Brayden Bogdon, one of Marywood’s SSBU players. “Being in person added a whole new human element to the competition and made playing them one of the most enjoyable matches of the season.”
Misericordia also enjoyed the opportunity to play in person. Brady Carmody, the coach for Misericordia’s Blue roster, expressed his gratitude: "We would like to thank Marywood University and their Esports program for hosting us for our program’s first in-person match.
Having the opportunity to physically see and interact with our opponents in good, competitive fun was a great moment for our esports program.” Esports doesn’t require physical travel with remote matches, therefore many programs are not able to frequently engage in in-person competitions. “Experiences like our match with Marywood allow for the promotion of the growing community within esports, and we look forward to more opportunities to bring virtual competition together,” continues Carmody.
While Misericordia would not end up qualifying for playoffs, Marywood would earn top seed in the NECC SSBU Crews Division V East A stage.
ABOUT THE NECC
The NECC fosters innovative competition experiences, provides quality broadcasting services, and works to support an inclusive community within collegiate esports. The NECC was started to provide the collegiate gaming community with the respect it warranted and deserved. The conference prides itself on responding to the needs of its schools, directors, coaches, and most importantly - its players.
With more than 500 colleges and universities currently competing, the NECC strives to be a positive home for the collegiate gaming community.
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