No. 11 WVU Tech vs. No. 7 MidAmerica Nazarene: NAIA National Championship | Semifinal
When/Where: Saturday, Dec. 6, 5 p.m. ET, Orange Beach Sportsplex (Orange Beach, Ala.)
Bracket: NAIA National Championship Semifinal; winner advances to Monday's national final.
Game Day Info
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: Orange Beach Sportsplex
Streaming: NAIA on UEN | NAIA Network
Live Stats: Presto Stats
The Matchup
No. 11 seed WVU Tech (19–0–2) meets No. 7 MidAmerica Nazarene (15–2–4) with a spot in the NAIA National Championship Final on the line.
The Golden Bears reached the national semifinals for the first time in program history, defeating No. 17 Indiana Tech 4–0 behind goals from Leny Duperray, Nicholas Ihnat and a brace from Julen Recalde. WVU Tech has extended its unbeaten run to 22 matches and continues to rank among the top teams in the nation both statistically and defensively.
MidAmerica Nazarene advanced with a 3–1 win over William Penn, powered by goals from Jeremie Pelade, Jaxon Slaven and Antonio Mugica. The Pioneers enter the semifinal unbeaten in their last 10 matches and have not lost a neutral-site contest this season.
This is the second all-time meeting between the programs. WVU Tech leads the series 1–0, winning 2–1 on Nov. 28, 2016, at a neutral-site Opening Round match in Delray Beach, Florida.
Form & Trends
WVU Tech
Streaks: Won 17 straight; unbeaten in 22
Recent Results:
- 4–1 vs. Rio Grande (RSC Final)
- 4–3 vs. Madonna (Second Round)
- 2–1 vs. Ottawa (Round of 16)
- 4–0 vs. Indiana Tech (Quarterfinal)
Team Profile:
- 71 goals (3.38/g; 4th nationally)
- .231 shot percentage (3rd nationally)
- 11 shutouts
- 0.73 GAA
- +56 goal differential (71–15)
- Outshooting opponents 307–145
- Held opponents to one goal or fewer in 19 of 21 matches
MidAmerica Nazarene
Streaks: Won 3 straight; unbeaten in last 10
Recent Results:
- 2–0 vs. Grand View (Heart Semifinal)
- 1–1 at Baker (Heart Final – advanced on PKs)
- 3–0 vs. Concordia (Opening Round)
- 3–1 vs. John Brown (Round of 16)
- 3–1 vs. William Penn (Quarterfinal)
Team Profile:
- 56 goals (2.43/g)
- .172 shot percentage
- 11 shutouts
- 0.78 GAA
- 139 corner kicks (6th nationally)
By the Numbers
| Category |
WVU Tech |
MidAmerica Nazarene |
| Goals |
71 |
56 |
| Goals per game |
3.38 |
2.43 |
| GAA |
0.73 |
0.78 |
| Shutouts |
11 |
11 |
| Shot % |
.231 |
.172 |
| Shots per game |
14.6 |
14.1 |
| Assists |
48 |
53 |
| Corner Kicks |
131 |
139 |
Players to Watch
WVU Tech
- Julen Recalde — 16 goals, 3 game-winners; 2 goals in quarterfinal
- Keishon Clarke — 11 goals, 5 assists; senior attacking leader
- Leny Duperray — 11 goals, 30 SOG; opened scoring vs. Indiana Tech
- Gonzalo Sabeh — 4 goals, 10 assists; elite creator
- Hugo Roman — 3 goals, 8 assists; set-piece specialist
- Nicholas Ihnat — 5 goals, 4 assists; scored and assisted in quarterfinal
- Luka Felix — 12–0–2, 0.83 GAA; 58 saves, 5 shutouts
MidAmerica Nazarene
- Jeremie Pelade — 14 goals, 2 assists; 5 game-winners
- Antonio Mugica — 11 goals, 12 assists; 34 points
- Jaxon Slaven — 6 goals, 5 assists; scored in quarterfinal
- Elyes Ellouz — 4 goals, 3 assists; 23 starts
- Gabriel Fernandes — Defensive anchor with 1 goal and 3 assists
- Tobias Stirl — 0.78 GAA, 10 shutouts; 60 saves
What to Watch Saturday
- WVU Tech seeking its first-ever NAIA title match appearance
- Two of the nation's top defenses: 22 combined shutouts
- Midfield duel: Roman/Sabeh vs. Mugica/Slaven/Pelade
- Set-piece volume with both teams ranking top 10 nationally in corners
- Recalde, Clarke and Duperray vs. an organized MNU back line
- Goalkeeping showdown: Felix vs. Stirl
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET Saturday, with the winner advancing to the NAIA National Championship Final on Monday in Orange Beach.
