BECKLEY, W.Va. — WVU Tech men's soccer finished off a perfect conference run and lifted the River States Conference Championship trophy Wednesday evening, earning a 2–1 victory over rival Rio Grande at Paul Cline Stadium. The Golden Bears (16–0–2) extended their unbeaten season to 18 matches and secured the league's automatic berth to the 2025 NAIA National Championship.
Freshman standout Julen Recalde put Tech ahead in the 32nd minute, finishing a composed strike from a setup by Gonzalo Sabeh. It marked Recalde's team-leading 13th goal of the season and continued his push as one of the nation's most effective first-year scorers.
Tech doubled its advantage in the 69th minute when Hugo Roman buried a rebound off the right post, giving the freshman midfielder his third goal of the season and what would stand as the championship-winning strike.
Rio Grande (11–5–3), receiving votes nationally and one of the hottest teams in the RSC entering the final, pulled a goal back in the 76th minute through leading scorer Facundo Rossich—his 16th of the year—off an assist from Luke Tinkler. But the Golden Bears' defensive structure held firm in the closing moments.
Defensive Stand Strong
Senior goalkeeper Luka Felix delivered one of the best performances of his career, posting eight saves—five in the second half—behind a back line anchored by Nicholas Ihnat, Julian Diaz, Tom Renner, and Dylan Matthew Wilkes. The defense absorbed heavy pressure, including 13 second-half corner kicks and 15 shots on goal from the RedStorm overall, but conceded only once.
Tech finished the season allowing just 10 goals in 17 matches, sporting a 0.61 GAA—the fifth-best mark nationally entering the postseason.
Match Notes
- Goals: Recalde (31'), Roman (69')
- Assists: Sabeh (31')
- Saves: Felix 8
- Shots: Rio Grande 18 (16 SOG); WVU Tech 10 (4 SOG)
- Corners: Rio Grande 13, WVU Tech 2
The victory gives head coach Nick Semnani and RSC Coach of the Year his first conference tournament title and completes a sweep of the league's major awards for the Golden Bears—Recalde (Player/Offensive/Newcomer of the Year) and Ihnat (Defensive Player of the Year) also highlighted Tech's postseason honors earlier in the week.
Season Context
WVU Tech's undefeated run includes a 14-match winning streak, 10 shutouts, and one of the most balanced statistical profiles in the NAIA:
- 59 goals scored (3.47/g)
- .235 shot percentage
- 10 goals allowed
- 49 saves from Felix and Ferrari combined
The win also completes a season sweep of Rio Grande, following a 4–1 victory in Beckley on Oct. 16.
What's Next
WVU Tech advances to the 2025 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship, beginning with the First & Second Rounds hosted at campus sites Nov. 20–22.
The NAIA Selection Show will air Friday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m., where the Golden Bears will learn their bracket position, opponent, and hosting status for the opening rounds.
