BECKLEY, W.Va. — WVU Tech men's soccer closed the regular season with a 3-0 Senior Day victory over Brescia University Saturday at the YMCA Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex, clinching the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the River States Conference Tournament.
The Golden Bears earned their second consecutive victory and improved to 8-2-4 overall and 5-1-1 in conference play. Tech also finished the regular season unbeaten at home with a 4-0-1 record.
WVU Tech created pressure from the start, putting its first three attempts on goal before Joost Hermeling broke through in the 17th minute. Francisco Mustra provided the assist, and Hermeling finished for his team-leading 11th goal of the season to give the Golden Bears a 1-0 advantage.
Tech continued to test Brescia goalkeeper Jonathan Tucker throughout the opening half. Iñaki Sacramento, Hermeling and Myron Bentil each put additional attempts on target, while Ramon Ferrari made three saves at the other end to help send the Golden Bears into halftime with the 1-0 lead.
The Golden Bears continued to create chances after the break. Mathews Mandere and Hermeling each forced saves before Hermeling found the net again in the 67th minute, extending the lead to 2-0.
Hermeling's second goal of the afternoon raised his season total to 12.
Gonzalo Sabeh and Bentil each put additional attempts on target before Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman scored in the 75th minute for his fourth goal of the season, pushing the advantage to 3-0.
Francisco Cipriano put two more shots on goal late as the Golden Bears continued to apply pressure before closing out the shutout.
WVU Tech finished with 17 shots and put 16 on goal, while Brescia recorded six shots with five on target. The Golden Bears earned five corner kicks compared with six for Brescia.
Hermeling led Tech with four shots, putting all four on goal and scoring twice. Sabeh finished with three shots on target, while Bentil and Cipriano each put two on goal. Mustra recorded his fourth assist of the season, tying Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman for second on the team behind Sabeh's eight.
Ferrari played the first 78:45 and made five saves before fifth-year Filippo Beltrami handled the final 11:15. The Golden Bears recorded their fifth shutout of the season and third in conference play.
WVU Tech finishes the regular season with 40 goals through 14 matches, averaging 2.86 goals per match. The Golden Bears scored 21 goals in seven RSC matches while allowing just five.
What's next
WVU Tech earned the No. 2 seed in the River States Conference Tournament and will receive a first-round bye. The Golden Bears will await their next tournament opponent and will play a semifinal on Saturday, November 7.
Season leaders
- Record: 8-2-4 overall, 5-1-1 RSC
- Goals: Joost Hermeling, 12; Gonzalo Sabeh, 7; Wilfredo Briceno, 5; Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman, 4; Francisco Mustra, 3
- Assists: Gonzalo Sabeh, 8; Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman and Francisco Mustra, 4; Theo Ratat, 3; Joost Hermeling, 2
- Points: Joost Hermeling, 26; Gonzalo Sabeh, 22; Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman, 12; Wilfredo Briceno and Francisco Mustra, 10
- Shots: Gonzalo Sabeh, 40; Joost Hermeling, 28; Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman, 22; Wilfredo Briceno, 20; Francisco Mustra and Kai Cooper, 18
- Shots on goal: Joost Hermeling and Gonzalo Sabeh, 23; Wilfredo Briceno, 13; Gonzalo Gorostiza Colman and Kai Cooper, 11
- Goalkeeper saves: Ramon Ferrari, 42; Enrico Reginatto, 1
- Goals-against average: Enrico Reginatto, 0.00; Ramon Ferrari, 1.06; Filippo Beltrami, 3.64
- Save percentage: Enrico Reginatto, 1.000; Ramon Ferrari, .750; Filippo Beltrami, .000
