The No. 1-seeded WVU Tech men's soccer team (14-4-2) captured the River States Conference (RSC) Championship with a dramatic 3-2 penalty kick shootout win over No. 2-seed and conference rival University of Rio Grande (14-2-2) after a 0-0 draw on Saturday in Beckley, W.Va.
Freshman Ramon Ferrari (Nova Venécia, EspÃrito Santo, Brazil), who was named RSC Defensive Player of the Year, made a crucial save to end the shootout that setoff an ecstatic celebration for WVU Tech student-athletes, coaches and fans alike. Ferrari finished with four saves during the game and making four more stops during PK's.
Leading to that moment, the teams were scoreless during the first 120 minutes including double overtime to force the shootout. The Golden Bears managed four shots on frame and 19 total shots while the RedStorm produced three shots on goal, seven total.
WVU Tech shot first in the shootout, presenting junior Layomi Ogunfowora (Nigeria) who converted against Rio's keeper, Oton Merin Torro. Fellow classmate Joan Hernandez (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain) was up next for Tech, also finding the back of the net.
The Golden Bears' next three attempts from sophomore Arnau Rabassa (Sant Andreu de Llavaneres, Spain) and freshmen Ollie Corris (Manchester, England) and Vasco Berardo (Lisboa, Portugal) were all stopped by Torro.
Sophomore defender Conrad Ryu Erikkson (Tokyo, Japan) stepped up after Rio had missed their last two attempts and soared the ball in for the Gold and Blue, giving them the eventual 3-2 advantage and win. The two made from Rio were from Tommy Munoz Salazar and Marti Pulgsegur Calvo.
With the victory, WVU Tech earns an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship. Stay tuned to goldenbearathletics.com for more information as it becomes available.
Following the game the River States Conference recognized All-Conference players, Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Champions of Character awards.
Selected by their head coaches, the Champions of Character best represent the NAIA’s Champions of Character program and its five core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Servant Leadership and Sportsmanship.
