BECKLEY, W.Va. -- No. 1-seed WVU Tech men's soccer played to an 8-3 victory over No. 4 Oakland City University in a semifinal of the River States Conference (RSC) Championship. The Golden Bears will advance to the final of the championship with an overall record of 13-4-2 while Mighty Oaks end their 2023 campaign at 9-9-1.

Sophomore Juan Minguez Malonda (Oliva, Valencia, Spain) scored a hat trick, recording Tech's first three goals (20', 27', 34') of the match-up. Freshman Marc Hernandez (Argentona, Barcelona, Spain) and sophomores Enrique Ezquerro Lopez (Pradejon, La Rioja, Spain) and Arnau Rabassa (Sant Andreu de Llavaneres, Spain) marked the assists. 

Hernandez had the fourth goal, receiving the perfect pass from freshman Ollie Corris (Manchester, England) in the 36th minute.

The Gold and Blue's fifth goal was credited to junior Layomi Ogunfowora (Nigeria) after Rabassa slipped his teammate the pass in minute 50.

In the 76th minute freshman Rafa Montesinos Rel (Valencia, Spain) netted his first collegiate goal with the assistance of both Ogunfowora and senior Alejandro Moreno (Barcelona, Spain).

The final Golden Bear goal came from freshman Adam Seams (Lewisburg, W.Va.) who found the back of the net on Moreno's second assist of the game in minute 82.

Oakland City's goals came from Pablo Herrero Belmont (PK, 21'), Periale Nouthaha (75') and Fernando Celemin Corcobado (86').

The Mighty Oaks were denied twice in the 90 minutes thanks to freshman keeper Ramon Ferrari (Nova Venécia, Espírito Santo, Brazil) who earned the W protecting the net for WVU Tech. Oakland City's net minder, Jacob Robinson, recorded two saves while allowing eight goals in the complete game loss.

WVU Tech controlled the action most of the game, finishing with a 17-7 edge in shots overall and a 10-5 advantage in shots on frame. The Golden Bears also tallied five of the six corner kick chances in the contest.

Saturday's championship is scheduled for a 3 p.m. kickoff at Paul Cline Stadium in Beckley. Tech will host No. 2-seed University of Rio Grande. The teams battled to a 0-0 draw during their regular season meeting on October 12.

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