DSU Esports Heads to Midwest Battlegrounds
Dakota State’s Trojan Esports travelled to Chicago, Illinois for the Midwest Battleground LAN. They took on some of the top collegiate competitions at Midwest Battleground on March 6-8 in Chicago, Illinois. Midwest Battleground is a major collegiate LAN event featuring invitational tournaments in Overwatch 2, Valorant, Rocket League, Marvel Rivals, Smash Ultimate and many more. The atmosphere was electric as hundreds of players and fans were all gathered under one roof.
Team Results
Rocket League: The Trojans went 5-1 in pool play (2nd seed) and 2-2 in the championship bracket for 5th place finish. DSU’s losses came only from the teams that finished 1st,2nd and 3rd overall. Key wins included a 3-1 victory over Minnesota State Mankato. The final record was 7-3, an excellent showing against elite competition.
Overwatch: DSU displayed a 3-3 record. The Trojans started strong in pool play with wins over UW–Stout and UW–River Falls, but tough matches against MSU Mankato, Syracuse, and Purdue eventually knocked them into the elimination bracket. Overall placement was in the top half.
Valorant: With an almost entirely freshman roster, DSU went through pool play and had a competitive but winless record. The main goal was gaining experience. As Coach Andy noted, “Even if we don’t win games, the LAN pressures and lessons are invaluable.” The squad learned a lot about top-tier play and is now hungry to improve.
Marvel Rivals: Also debuting new players, the team finished 0-4 but gained huge insight. They executed their strategies well but realized they needed more practice. The very next week they applied those lessons to win in regular season games. This shows their immediate growth from the tournament.
Coach’s Perspective & Takeaways
Coach Andy Roland emphasized the value of the trip: “Even if we didn’t walk away with trophies, we walked away with pressure-tested experience,” he explained. The team bonded on the road trip, and first-time LAN competitors (especially in Valorant and Marvel Rivals) saw the high level of play firsthand. Andy praised the team’s mindset: “The message is clear – we know what we need to get to the next level, and now we’re ready to work for it.”
Next Up for DSU Esports
Midwest Battleground was a step forward and not the end of the road for the Trojans. The team returns with fresh motivation and lessons. Fans can rewatch the LAN action via the Battleground livestream archives on YouTube/Twitch. DSU’s next CCL matchups are posted on the athletics site. The early-season momentum (and all the LAN experience) will carry into the rest of the year.
