RIO GRANDE, Ohio — WVU Tech men's soccer opened River States Conference play Thursday night with a 2-0 road loss to No. 17 University of Rio Grande at Evan E. Davis Field. The Golden Bears moved to 3-2-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Tech generated the first three shots of the match, with Gonzalo Sabeh recording attempts in the opening six minutes, but Rio Grande broke through at 7:48 when Facundo Rossich scored to give the RedStorm a 1-0 lead.
The Golden Bears continued to look for the equalizer. Karim Ould Saada put an attempt on goal in the 10th minute before Wilfredo Briceno forced Rio Grande goalkeeper Samy Hamou into another save in the 40th.
Ramon Ferrari kept Tech within one at the other end, making three first-half saves as the Golden Bears went into halftime trailing 1-0.
Rio Grande increased the pressure after the break, but Ferrari continued to turn away opportunities. The senior goalkeeper made five more saves in the second half, stopping shots in the 63rd, 66th, 76th, 82nd and 88th minutes.
Sabeh gave Tech one of its best second-half chances in the 70th minute, putting an attempt on target that Hamou saved.
Rio Grande added its second goal at 82:00 when Riku Okimoto scored to make it 2-0. The Golden Bears continued to push late, with Kai Cooper putting two shots on goal in the final five minutes, but Hamou stopped both to preserve the shutout.
WVU Tech finished with nine shots, putting five on goal. Rio Grande recorded 24 shots and 10 on target while holding a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Sabeh led the Golden Bears with four shots, while Cooper finished with two, both on target. Ould Saada and Briceno also registered shots on goal.
Ferrari played all 90 minutes and finished with a season-high eight saves.
Through eight matches, WVU Tech is 3-2-3 overall and has scored 19 goals while averaging 14.6 shots per game.
What's next
WVU Tech returns home Saturday, Oct. 3, to face Indiana University Columbus. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the YMCA Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex in Beckley.
Season leaders
- Record: 3-2-3
- Goals: Gonzalo Sabeh, 5; Joost Hermeling, 4; Wilfredo Briceno, 4; Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman, 2; Arturo Caballer, Kai Cooper, Danilo Jokovic and Linus Kleinewiese, 1
- Assists: Gonzalo Sabeh, 4; Oliver Bonning, Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman, Joost Hermeling, Linus Kleinewiese, Francisco Mustra, Benjamin Niles and Derren Sanchez, 1
- Points: Gonzalo Sabeh, 14; Joost Hermeling, 9; Wilfredo Briceno, 8; Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman, 5; Linus Kleinewiese, 3
- Shots: Gonzalo Sabeh, 24; Wilfredo Briceno, 16; Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman, 15; Joost Hermeling, 13; Kai Cooper, 13
- Shots on goal: Joost Hermeling, 11; Gonzalo Sabeh, 11; Wilfredo Briceno, 9; Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman, 8; Kai Cooper, 7
- Goalkeeper saves: Ramon Ferrari, 28; Enrico Reginatto, 1
- Goals-against average: Ramon Ferrari, 1.61; Enrico Reginatto, 0.00
- Save percentage: Ramon Ferrari, .700; Enrico Reginatto, 1.000
