Men's Soccer | 11/12/2025 9:54:05 PM

BECKLEY, W.V.- The rivalry between WVU Tech and Rio Grande in men's soccer may be the most intense in the River States Conference, regardless of sport.

Since WVU Tech joined the RSC in 2015, the Golden Bears and RedStorm have played in the men's soccer tournament in ten of eleven years, with the 2025 version the eighth such meeting in the conference title game. 

However, in each of WVU Tech's first three triumphs over the RedStorm, in 2017, 2019, and 2023, the Golden Bears needed penalty kicks to do so.

The 2025 Golden Bears needed just the regulation 90 minutes to topple their rival.

WVU Tech won their fourth RSC Tournament title in nine years on Wednesday night, beating Rio Grande, 2-1, in front of a energized crowd at Paul Cline Stadium in Beckley. The Golden Bears jumped out to a 2-0 lead, then held off a furious rally from the RedStorm in the final 20 minutes.

The Golden Bears struck first in the 32nd minute, as Conference Player of the Year Julen Recalde scored his 13th goal of the season, finishing on a pass from Gonzalo Sabeh. That lead lasted until the 69th minute, when Hugo Roman finished a rebound after a previous WVU Tech shot had hit the post. Roman's tally, which would prove to be the game-winner, put the Golden Bears up 2-0 with just over 20 minutes to play.

The RedStorm, who controlled possession on Wednesday to the tune of a 18-10 advantage in shots and a 13-2 edge in corners, did no go away quietly. In the 76th minute, Rio's Facundo Rossich found the back of the net for his 16th goal of the season, with the assist going to Luke Tinkler. The RedStorm kept the pressure on in the final 15 minutes, but could not find the equalizer.

With the win, WVU Tech earns the River States Conference's automatic berth into the NAIA Tournament, their seventh NAIA Tournament berth all-time. Ranked 12th in the nation in the newest NAIA Men's Soccer RPI, the Golden Bears could earn a national seed and potential hosting duties from the NAIA selection committee. 

Rio Grande, who is ranked 26th in the RPI, will be in the pool for at-large selections, as the RedStorm look to make their 25th consecutive appearance in the NAIA Tournament. 

The NAIA Men’s Soccer Selection Show will go live on Friday, November 14, at 6 p.m. eastern, when the full field for the 2025 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship will be unveiled.