Grand View (Iowa) Men’s Soccer Snags First-Ever Red Banner

ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – Grand View (Iowa) men’s soccer closed out its season with a historic milestone, securing the program’s first NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship with a 2-1 triumph over WVU Tech on Monday afternoon. The championship marked a remarkable rise for a team that was picked 13th out of 14 teams in the Heart of America Athletic Conference preseason poll, closing the year at 18-4-3 as national champions and handing WVU Tech (W.Va)(20-1-2) its only loss of the season.

WVU Tech opened the scoring in the fifth minute on a finish from Leny Duperray, assisted by Keishon Clarke, putting the Golden Bears ahead early. Grand View settled in quickly and found the equalizer nine minutes later, as Ignacio Gonzalez converted in the 14th minute off a setup from Payton Chapman to bring the match level, 1-1. The two sides traded stretches of pressure through the remainder of the first half and well into the second, with neither team able to break through despite several dangerous chances.

The deciding moment arrived in the 59th minute when Herman Furumo capitalized on an opportunity in the box, putting the Vikings ahead 2-1 with an unassisted strike Grand View limited WVU Tech’s attempts to push forward and closed out the match without conceding another clear look at goal.

The Vikings controlled the run of play statistically, finishing with a 21-6 advantage in total shots and a 10-6 edge in corner kicks, while also generating a 9-6 margin in shots on frame. Goalkeeper Luis Helm anchored the defensive effort with five saves, completing a standout tournament in which Grand View conceded only one goal across all postseason play, recording four clean sheets in five matches.

Grand View remained organized through the final stretch and handled WVU Tech’s late pressure to close out the program’s historic championship run. The title capped a 5-0 performance in the national tournament, during which the Vikings defeated five ranked opponents, including top-seeded Bethel (Tenn.), and outscored their postseason opposition 7-1.

From underdog to national champion, Grand View brings home the first-ever Red Banner in men’s soccer, and 19th Red Banner for the institution. 

Kevin Ventura of Grand View (Iowa) was tabbed as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Julen Recalde of WVU Tech (W.Va) was named Outstanding Offensive Player, and Luis Helm from Grand View was listed as the Outstanding Defensive Player. Georgia Gwinnett was designated with the Memorial Sportsmanship Award. 

See the full All-Tournament Team below. 

Luis Helm, GK, Grand View (Iowa)

Luka Felix, GK, WVU Tech (W.Va)

Kevin Ventura, D, Grand View (Iowa)

David Stoklasek, D, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)

Bruno Garcia, D, Cumberlands (Ky.)

Julian Diaz, D, WVU Tech (W.Va)

Tom Renner, MF, WVU Tech (W.Va)

Gonzalo Sabeh, MF, WVU Tech (W.Va)

Emil Skursch, MF, Cumberlands (Ky.)

Matias Meijide, MF, William Penn (Iowa)

Pietro Piacenza, F, Grand View (Iowa)

Julen Recalde, F, WVU Tech (W.Va)

Justin Figaroa, F, Grand View (Iowa)

Antonio Mugica, F, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)

See the complete bracket HERE.