Heretics handle OpTic in CDL Stage 3 qualifying

The Miami Heretics climbed into first place in the Call of Duty League Stage 3 Major qualifying standings after defeating OpTic Texas 3-1 on Friday.

The Heretics are the lone 2-0 team, while OpTic slipped to 2-1. The Carolina Royal Ravens, who edged the Minnesota Rokkr 3-2 on Friday, and the Vancouver Surge, who swept the Los Angeles Guerrillas M8 3-0, also are 2-1.

The Stage 3 Major qualifying round has the league's 12 teams playing five qualifying matches apiece through April 20 to determine seeding for the Stage 3 Major playoffs, slated for April 24-27 in Boca Raton, Fla.

On Friday, Miami opened with a 250-152 win on Vault Hardpoint and a 6-4 victory on Hacienda Search and Destroy. Texas extended the series with a 3-2 triumph on Hacienda Control before the Heretics closed it out by claiming Hacienda Hardpoint 250-202.

The Rokkr took Skyline Hardpoint 250-101 before the Royal Ravens captured Protocol Search and Destroy 6-1. Minnesota moved to the verge of a victory by prevailing 3-2 on Vault Control, but Carolina recovered to finish with two tight wins, 250-244 on Hacienda Hardpoint and 6-5 on Dealership Search and Destroy.

The Surge downed the Guerrillas 250-207 on Hacienda Hardpoint, 6-3 on Redcard Search and Destroy and 3-2 on Protocol Control.

Seven more matches remain in Week 2 of qualifying:

Saturday

Atlanta FaZe vs. Miami Heretics

Vegas Falcons vs. OpTic Texas

Boston Breach vs. Los Angeles Guerrillas M8

Cloud 9 New York vs. Los Angeles Thieves

Sunday

Minnesota Rokkr vs. Cloud9 New York

Vancouver Surge vs. Carolina Royal Ravens

Los Angeles Thieves vs. Toronto Ultra

Call of Duty League Stage 3 Major qualifying standings (with match record and map differential):

1. Miami Heretics, 2-0, plus-3

2. Vancouver Surge, 2-1, plus-3

3. OpTic Texas, 2-1, plus-2

4. Carolina Royal Ravens, 2-1, plus-1

5. Los Angeles Thieves, 1-0, plus-3

6. Boston Breach, 1-1, plus-2

7. Atlanta FaZe, 1-1, plus-1

8. Toronto Ultra, 1-1, minus-2

9. Minnesota Rokkr, 1-2, minus-1

10. Cloud9 New York, 0-1, minus-3

11. Vegas Falcons, 0-2, minus-4

12. Los Angeles Guerrillas M8, 0-2, minus-5