MIDWAY, Kentucky -- Sophomores Sergio Sanchez and Matias Pazos and senior Matias Gandulfo converted on their penalty kick attempts and freshman goalkeeper Jose Domingo Xam-mar made three stops to help WVU Tech (8-9-4) defeat Midway University (10-5-2) in a shootout, 3-2, and claim the 2017 River States Conference (RSC) title.
The RSC Championship was forced to penalty kicks after the No. 4 seeded Golden Bears and No. 2 Eagles ended double overtime scoreless. Tech finished the game with seven shots on frame compared to their opponent's two. Pazos led the game with four.
Domingo (6-3-2) marked two saves in 110 minutes of play while Midway's senior Christian Neira (10-5-2) was forced to stop seven Golden Bear attempts during game play.
Tech earned two shootout victories in the RSC Championship tournament, also defeating No. 1 University of Rio Grande in PK's, 8-7, in the semifinal, to advance to the NAIA National Tournament for the third consecutive season. The Gold and Blue kicked off the RSC tournament with a 3-1 win over No. 5 Point Park University.
The national tournament begins next Saturday, November 18 at various campus sites. Pairings will be announced Monday, November 13 at 1 p.m. (EST).
