On Saturday, September 20th, roughly 15 LigerBot team members attended and competed in an off-season competition at Melrose High school. Fifteen FRC teams attended, competing in a series of qualification matches throughout the day. Team member Sarah H. exclaimed that “This event was such a unique styled event that brought great connections across New England”.

Our 2025 Reefscape robot, Hydra, during a match. 

We had a super great time when we played last season’s game called Reefscape. Reefscape was modeled as a solution to saving the marine ecosystem. Teams were tasked with developing robots capable of picking up coral through an intake and transporting it to the reef in the middle of the field to score a point. Teams also developed an algae intake to transport algae to the central barge, scoring by either tossing the algae into the net, or into an algae processor so that the other alliance could score a point by tossing it into the net. During the endgame, robots raced to a hanging cage to lift their robots off the ground.  

Robots hanging off the deep cage at the end of the match. 

We were in alliance 3, with Team 1058, the PVC Pirates, Team 6328, Mechanical Advantage, and Team 4909, the Bionics. Overall we ranked third!. 

LigerBot members carrying Hydra, from the field.

It was a great experience for our new team members, it helped them to gain experience before the competition season starts. Competitions are usually full- day events that consist of field matches. Team members get a feel for how the game works, and the overall vibe of a competition. It is also a great opportunity for members to try new roles like pit crew or driver.

Pit Crew working on the robot. 

Overall, it was a highly successful competition that allowed new team members to gain more competition experience before the busy build and competition season starts in January. 

Our next events to look out for are the FLL Scrimmage (November 10th) and Qualifier (November 22nd) at Newton North High School. Feel free to stop by and check out what’s going on!