ROCK HILL, S.C. - Winthrop Esports claimed its first League of Legends College Championship with a 3-1 win over Maryville University on Saturday, May 30.

This is the Eagles second national title, after capturing the Rocket League Collegiate Esports National Championship over Northwood earlier this month.

"Winning the National Championship in League of Legends, It's an incredible accomplishment for us," head esports coach Josh Sides said. "It still doesn't feel real. It is an incredible feeling for this team to achieve the goal that we all shared at the outset of this year, and to have all of the long hours, all of the hard work and dedication pay off for these guys. I couldn't be happier for these players."

Winthrop took a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five final against the reigning champions, before falling in the third round. The Eagles absolutely dominated in the fourth round to earn their first League of Legends national title.

"We were definitely the underdogs in this finals matchup, going against the reigning and two-time champs Maryville," Sides said. "I have so much respect for their program, so it was incredible to be able to face off against them in the finals and come away with the victory."

Jacob "FrostForest" Chan knew this Eagles squad had what it took to win the national title. 

"I knew our roster was good," Chan said. "As we went through the season, I knew that we were the roster to beat when we came into the national championship. I knew that I expected us to make finals and even win the whole thing."

It was important to Kenji "Srkenji" Kaneko to not only win on the big stage, but bring a trophy back to Rock Hill. 

"I have always loved competing at high stages," Kaneko said. "My goal coming into Winthrop was to win the championship and bring a trophy home to not only the school but my team, the staff and everyone supporting us."

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the finals were held remotely, instead of in Los Angeles, CA. While the team missed out on hoisting a trophy, it's just motivation to make it happen again next season.  

"When we came together at the beginning of the semester we had a long talk and I told them that I thought we could win the championship this year, with this incredible group of guys," Sides said. "And in the end we made it happen. It was a bummer that because of COVID the finals were held online instead of in person. We didn't get the experience of the confetti dropping and lifting the trophy and all of that fun stuff that comes with winning a national title. If we want that experience, then we know what we need to do next year. I'm incredibly motivated now to go get a second one."

For everything Winthrop Esports, visit winthropeagles.com or follow us on social media @WinthropEsports.