RESULTS: Team Liquid Claim an Early Lead over Echo Fox in Their Semi-final Duel

Both teams were looking for early game aggression in this battle, with Echo Fox striking first, but Team Liquid striking harder. Here’s a brief breakdown of the match.

Echo Fox claimed first blood when they invaded the jungle of Team Liquid, gaining an early lead. Team Liquid responded in the top lane, claiming a reply kill to level out the score. Echo Fox continued to pressure the mid lane, diving into the jungle to harass Team Liquid as they attempt to take their buffs. Not finding a lot of success there, Echo Fox then move to the top lane, trading one of their members for two more kills as they regain the lead.

Both teams clash in the bot lane, where they trade this time favours Team Liquid, losing one member but gaining two kills. The teams trade turrets in the aftermath, keeping the score relatively even. Echo Fox, not content to let Team Liquid make more plays, again dive the mid lane to pick up another two kills before forcing the surviving members back while they pick up another turret.

The teams clash again around the Rift Herald, and while Echo Fox secure the buff, Team Liquid catch out their bot lane for two more kills as they seek to close the gap once more. As the teams clash in the mid lane, Team Liquid are able to interrupt the summoning of the Rift Herald, ceasing Echo Fox’s advance without suffering any casualties. As the second Dragon spawns on the map, both teams jockey for positioning with neither willing to fully commit without cause. As Echo Fox make the call to rush the Dragon, Team Liquid collapse and trap them in the pit, claiming two kills before moving to attempt the Baron. Echo Fox move to contest, however are unable to reach the area in time. The resulting engage from Team Liquid secures a kill along with the Baron buff, as they seek to set a lead of their own.

Team Liquids Baron boosted push claims another kill as Echo Fox attempt to stop the advance, with Liquid pushing in multiple waves at once. Echo Fox engage onto Team Liquid as the next Dragon spawns, but while they do pick up a quick kill, the reengage from Team Liquid secures tow kills of their own before they claim the Dragon for themselves. As the minions continue to apply pressure across the map, Team Liquid move to secure the second Baron, and in the resulting team fight pick up four more kills before moving down the mid lane to destroy the inhibitor there and open up the base of Echo Fox.

After taking down the top lane inhibitor, Team Liquid withdraw to reset before continuing their assault. With only the bot lane remaining, Echo Fox attempt to hold them off, but the resulting team fight costs them everything as Team Liquid wipes them from the map before ending the game.

Team Liquid may have started on the back foot, but they certainly stepped up in the mid game, ultimately ending the game in just under 33 minutes with a gold lead of over 16k. Echo Fox can bounce back if they work on their mid game objective control, but Team Liquid will be looking to keep the momentum going with another aggressive performance next game.

For more League of Legends action, check out the results out of the EU LCS, where Fnatic booked their flights to the Grand Final with their victory over Vitality, and for more information on the NA LCS post season, check out the Official Schedule page, here.