Williamsburg, KY – The Cumberlands Esports program returned to action last week, opening play in the national CR6 Fall Circuit on Friday. The Patriots went up against the University of Michigan in their first contest of the season in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Siege.

Despite some promising moments throughout the matchup, UC would drop both rounds of play to the Wolverines to start the season 0-2. The Patriots would drop the first five matches in round one before mounting a comeback, winning four straight matches in the second half. The Pats forced Michigan into their last two matches of the day where the Wolverines bolstered their defenses, finally claiming victory.

After losing the opening matchup, the Patriots geared up for the second map of the day. A defensively oriented start in the second round made for an early advantage for UC, claiming two out of the first six matches of play. After switching sides for the latter half of the round, Michigan once again showed its defensive talent, sweeping the Patriots in three straight to go up 2-0 for the day.
 

"For a young team comprised of just one sophomore and four freshman I was pleasantly surprised by Friday's performance," said Head Coach Jeremiah Brown, "Being just our second year of competition in Rainbow Six, I was impressed by the teamwork and communication displayed by our guys. I look forward to more competition in the Fall, I foresee us continuing to improve and earn some victories in the weeks to come."

Rainbow Six Siege is a first-person shooter that challenges players to strategize both an attack and defense of an objective. In tournament play, teams decide whether to attack or defend which they will do for six rounds of play before switching sides. At the end of the 12 rounds whichever team has won the most rounds claims victory.

Coming up later this week, the Patriots will continue their run in the 2020 CR6 competition, taking on Muskingum University.