Peninsula College’s Rocket League team came-from-behind to defeat the University of Connecticut 4-2 in a best-of-7 Rocket League match on March 11 — the first Pirate esports match played in front of a live audience.

The Huskies dominated the first game 6-0, but the Pirate team of Nick Charters, Stuart Koehler and Drew Eckard found their way, closing the gap in the second game in a 2-1 setback.

Peninsula rallied in game three, getting a goal from Sequim’s Charters for a 1-0 win. Koehler scored and Eckard added two goals in a 3-2 Pirate win to take game four and knot the competition at 2-2.

Charter carried the load in game five with all four goals in a 4-1 rout, while Eckard notched all four Peninsula goals in the match-clinching sixth gamr.

“I’m so proud of Stu, Drew, and Nick for showing the community that they have what it takes to take on Division I schools such as UConn,” PC coach Charlie Morrow said.

“The first two games were rough, but they maintained their focus, stayed positive, and did not give up. They read UConn’s aggressive strategy perfectly and that’s what ultimately lead to the ‘W.’”

The match was shoutcasted by Pirate esports teammate Mike Roggenbuck and live-streamed on Twitch.TV/Peninsula.

“Some of us have been a little fuzzy about what esports is all about, but I can tell you it was exciting to watch and I’m very proud of coach Morrow and her players for finding success so early in the launch of this new program,” said Rick Ross, PC’s Associate Dean for Athletics and Student Life.

“I can’t wait to see where it all goes from here.”

Peninsula’s Rocket League team improved to 6-3 on the season and will begin the Black Line Championship Series playoffs with a match against Cosmic Esports on Saturday, March 14; the time of the match is still to be determined.