Manhattan University Esports team finished strong.
DOMENICK RECINE / COURTESY
Emmanouel Sofillas, Managing Editor
Manhattan University’s Esports team wrapped up their season with a third-place finish in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in Super Smash Bros. – a result that both surprised and motivated the group.
“This season went much better than we expected,” team captain Domenick Recine said. “We lost Samir, who was one of our best players for a long time, but Aarya stepped in as a freshman and filled that spot really well.”
Aarya Sridhar, a freshman computer engineering major, was quick to share what the experience meant to him.
“They’ve been really welcoming,” Sridhar said. “I just started, but it already feels like I’ve been part of the group for a while.”
The team, made up of both A and B squads, only dropped three games during the regular season—against Iona, Quinnipiac and Marist. Those three teams would go on to join MU as the final four in the playoffs.
“It’s kind of funny,” Thierno Diallo, a computer science master’s student, said. “The only teams we lost to were the ones we met again in the postseason.”
The team’s run in the playoffs ended with a loss to top-seeded Quinnipiac in the semifinals. Both Recine and Diallo agreed the match came down to strategy.
“We expected them to lead with a certain player,” Recine said. “So we sent Aarya first. But they threw a curveball and sent in their Ice Climbers main, which Aarya really struggles against. That messed up our whole lineup.”
Sridhar admitted it was a tough match.
“It’s just not a great matchup for me,” Sridhar said. “It threw me off, but I learned a lot.”
Even with the exit, the team created some unforgettable memories.
“There was this one match where we were tied going into the last game,” Diallo said. “Our final player won by the skin of his teeth. Everyone was jumping and yelling—it was just one of those moments you don’t forget.”
Sridhar agreed with Diallo’s sentiment, saying the excitement is what makes the experience worth it.
“That kind of energy made everything worth it,” Sridhar said. “Even when we lost, we felt proud.”
Their growth this season wasn’t just about winning. It came from building a routine, attending local tournaments, and bonding outside of matches.
“We practiced Tuesdays and Fridays, and we’d also go to locals in Westchester,” Diallo said. “We’d just try to get used to playing under pressure.”
Recine believes that taking breaks helped them just as much as practice.
“Sometimes when you grind too hard, you get stuck,” Recine said. “Taking a step back gave us clarity. And our Friday tournaments really helped us stay sharp.”
Still, not everything went smoothly. This year’s MAAC tournament was held in a new location that didn’t quite match the energy of past events.
“Last year, we were on a big stage in Atlantic City, with a full audience and livestream,” Recine said. “This time, we were crammed into a corner of a local gaming center. It just didn’t feel the same.”
Despite the venue change, the heart of the team stayed strong.
“We’re basically one big group,” Diallo said. “Even with separate teams, we’re all here together all the time, hanging out, playing, helping each other. It’s not just about competing—it’s about having that community.”
Sridhar said that kind of connection is what made the experience special.
“Everyone has their own style. I’m more patient, Thierno is more aggressive, but we all balance each other out. It’s not just about who’s the best—it’s about what we bring to the team,” Sridhar said.
Looking ahead, the team isn’t just hoping to place higher—they believe they can win. “Next season, we’re going for it,” Diallo said. “But more than anything, I want more of what we had this season. The team, the vibe, the way we support each other—that’s what matters.”
Recine, who also played high school football, said that Esports gave him something he didn’t expect.
“It’s not just video games,” Recine said. “I’ve made some of my closest friends here. It gives you that sense of brotherhood. That feeling of being part of something.”
The team continues to open its doors to newcomers. Whether someone’s a casual gamer or aiming for competition, the message is the same.
“You don’t have to be great,” Diallo said. “Just show up. We’re all about having fun, playing together, and building something as a group.