WVU Tech claims 2017 RSC Men's Soccer Tournament title on PKs
By WVU Tech Sports Information
MIDWAY, Kentucky -- Sergio Sanchez, Matias Pazos and Matias Gandulfo converted their penalty kick attempts, and goalkeeper Jose Domingo Xam-mar made three stops to help WVU Tech (8-9-4) claim the River States Conference Men's Soccer Tournament title on Saturday. The championship final at Midway University (10-5-2) ended in a 0-0 tie after double-overtime. The Golden Bears then claimed the conference title and advance to the NAIA national tournament on PKs, 3-2.
Domingo (6-3-2) marked two saves in 110 minutes of play while Midway's senior Christian Neira (10-5-2) was forced to stop seven Golden Bear attempts during game play.
WVU Tech finished the game with seven shots on frame compared to their opponent's two. Pazos led the game with four. But that did not result in any goals scored in regulation or the overtimes. So PKs were left to decide things once again.
WVU Tech earned two shootout victories in the RSC Tournament as it also defeated No. 1 seed University of Rio Grande in PK's, 8-7, in the semifinal. The Gold and Blue kicked off the playoffs with a 3-1 win over No. 5 Point Park University.
The conference championship puts the Golden Bears in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round for the third year in a row. The national tournament begins next Saturday, November 18 at various campus sites. Pairings will be announced Monday, November 13 at 1 p.m. (EST).