Esports Rocket League Wins Heart Title, Player of the Year Award
Parkville, Mo., (March 29, 2025)- The Missouri Valley College Esports Rocket League team competed at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Postseason Championship in Parkville, Mo., Saturday. The Vikings captured the postseason title, and produced two Heart All-Conference student-athletes, including the Heart Player of the Year.
The Viking Rocket League team opened the double-elimination championship tournament as the No. 1 seed, and played No. 4 Central Methodist (Mo.) in the first round. The Vikings held off the Eagles with a 4-2 in games of the best-of-seven series. The win allowed MVC to advance in the winners bracket, and take on No. 2 St. Ambrose (Iowa). Missouri Valley swept the series, 4-0, which moved the team into the championship round. St. Ambrose worked its way out of the loser's bracket to meet the Vikings in the championship round.
In the championship round, Missouri Valley won the first game by a 5-2 score, led by four goals and one assist from Colton Herrin, while Diego Ruiz added three assists. Game two was a shutout win for MVC, 3-0, as Herrin added two goals and one assist. The Vikings used a last-second goal from Herrin in game 3 to earn a 3-2 win. Herrin finished with two goals and added one assist, while Ruiz had one goal and one assist. Looking for the sweep in game four, Missouri Valley posted a shutout victory, 3-0, as Herrin scored twice and Ruiz added one goal to secure the championship. Herrin led in the championship series with ten goals, while Ruiz scored four goals.
Missouri Valley secured the program's first Heart Postseason Championship in Rocket League, and adds to the team's success this season, having already captured an undefeated regular season Heart title, also the first in program-history.
In addition to the team success, two members of the Rocket League squad were named to the Heart Rocket League All-Conference Team. Dominic Hoskin (Squirrel.) was named the Heart Rocket League Player of the Year, and was selected to the Heart All-Conference First Team. Also, Colton Herrin (spade.) was named to the Heart All-Conference Second Team. Both were named to the all-conference team for the first time in their careers.
About Missouri Valley College
Standing out as one of the most innovative and student-focused liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, Missouri Valley College (MVC) is committed to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Through the Viking Voyage program, MVC prioritizes career readiness from day one, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel after graduation. Each of MVC's 30+ in-demand majors—including nursing, business, cybersecurity, computer science, criminal justice, and exercise science—integrates personal instruction, experiential learning, and professional opportunities to prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing and globally connected world. At Missouri Valley College, higher education is more than earning a degree—it's a transformative journey that begins with the end.