No. 1 Rio Grande wins KIAC Men's Soccer Tournament over No. 25 WVU Tech
No. 1 Rio Grande wins KIAC Men's Soccer Tournament over No. 25 WVU Tech
Box Score
RIO GRANDE, Ohio -- NAIA No. 1-ranked the University of Rio Grande built a 3-0 lead in the second half on its way to a 3-1 win over NAIA No. 25 WVU Tech in the KIAC Men's Soccer Tournament finals on Saturday night in Rio Grande, Ohio.
Rio Grande (18-1, 6-0 KIAC) moves on to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round as KIAC Tournament champions, although its spot in the national tournament was secure given its No. 1 ranking in the NAIA Top 25 all year long.
No. 25 WVU Tech (16-2, 5-1 KIAC) falls short of an automatic bid to nationals but will hope for an at-large bid with the announcement of the 32-team national field during the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship Selection Show on Monday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. ET at NAIANetwork.com
WVU Tech had its only losses come versus top-ranked Rio Grande and came in at No. 25 in the latest NAIA Top 25 Poll.
Luis Filho gave Rio Grande control when he scored in the 12th minute of the championship game. Heitor de Melo assisted on the play.
The game hung in the balance at 1-0 through the rest of the first half and into the second. But that's when Willian Paulino showed why he was named the KIAC Offensive Player of the Year.
Paulino scored goals in the 64th and 82nd minute to stretch the lead out to 3-0 and further take control. Although WVU Tech cut it to 3-1 on Francisco Neto's penalty kick in the 84th minute, it was too late.
Rio Grande held a 14-5 advantage in shots and led in corner kicks, 6-1.
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