WVU Tech outlasts Rio Grande in PKs for RSC Men's Soccer Championship title

By WVU Tech sports information:

The No. 1-seeded WVU Tech men's soccer team (14-4-2) captured the River States Conference Championship with a dramatic, 3-2 penalty kick shootout over No. 2-seed and conference rival University of Rio Grande (14-2-2) after a 0-0 draw in double overtimer on Saturday in Beckley, W.Va.

Freshman Ramon Ferrari (Nova Venécia, Espírito Santo, Brazil), who was named RSC Defensive Player of the Year, made a crucial save to end the shootout that setoff an ecstatic celebration for WVU Tech student-athletes, coaches and fans alike. Ferrari finished with four saves during the game and making four more stops during PK's.

Leading to that moment, the teams were scoreless during the first 120 minutes including double overtime to force the shootout. The Golden Bears managed four shots on frame and 19 total shots while the RedStorm produced three shots on goal, seven total. 

WVU Tech shot first in the shootout, presenting junior Layomi Ogunfowora (Nigeria) who converted against Rio's keeper, Oton Merin Torro. Fellow classmate Joan Hernandez (Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain) was up next for Tech, also finding the back of the net.

The Golden Bears' next three attempts from sophomore Arnau Rabassa (Sant Andreu de Llavaneres, Spain) and freshmen Ollie Corris (Manchester, England) and Vasco Berardo (Lisboa, Portugal) were all stopped by Torro.

Sophomore defender Conrad Ryu Erikkson (Tokyo, Japan) stepped up after Rio had missed their last two attempts and soared the ball in for the Gold and Blue, giving them the eventual 3-2 advantage and the conference title. The two made tries from Rio were from Tommy Munoz Salazar and Marti Pulgsegur Calvo.

With the victory, WVU Tech earns an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship. Stay tuned to goldenbearathletics.com for more information as it becomes available.