Despite the weather, the JKU Astros' opening home game at the ASKÖ Bewegungscenter was a complete success as they played in front of 800 enthusiastic fans at the stadium. The atmosphere at the kick-off game was overwhelmingly electric and JKU Rector Prof. Dr. Stefan Koch and Anke Merkl (the new head of Operations Management), were on site for both the coin toss and a community game. Although the Rector’s prediction that the Astros would win did not come to pass, the Astros came within three yards of the opposing team's end zone during the first offensive, scoring no points. In return, a long pass followed by a spectacular run was enough for the game’s only touchdown.

On account of the rain, both sides experienced several incomplete passes and interceptions. Nonetheless, possession in Vienna’s end zone gave the Astros their first two points, going into the halftime break with a score of 2:7. In the end, however, the Viennese won 9:2. Although it was not the start the Astros had hoped for, the game was thrilling and competitive right to the end.

The next upcoming home game will be on May 3 in Linz against BOKU Vienna. Thanks to the unwavering support of coaches Mike Süss, Carson Wittwer, and Roman Niedermayr along with the team’s sheer commitment, the Astros are ready to take the field and strike back!