ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – WVU Tech (W.Va) battled to a 2-1 result over MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) on Saturday evening, using a well-timed goal in each half and a composed defensive performance to move on to the national championship contest on Monday. The match opened with both sides creating opportunities on offense, but the breakthrough did not arrive until the closing moments of the first half. WVU Tech struck in the 43rd minute when Linus Kleinewiese found the back of the net, giving the Golden Bears a 1-0 lead to take into halftime.
WVU Tech carried that momentum into the second half and doubled the advantage in the 61st minute, as Leny Duperray converted a chance set up by Julen Recalde, pushing the margin to two goals and placing the Golden Bears in a strong position.
MidAmerica Nazarene responded quickly and pulled within one in the 68th minute when Antonio Mugica delivered an unassisted goal off a free kick that rocketed into the top left corner. The strike energized the Pioneers and shifted the flow of the match, sending much of the late possession in their direction.
In the closing stretch, the Pioneers controlled long stretches of the ball and pushed forward with urgency while searching for an equalizer. WVU Tech, however, held firm and limited clean looks on goal despite the sustained pressure. Golden Bears’ Goalkeeper Luka Felix provided three saves, and the back line stayed organized to keep the Pioneers from finding a second score to tie the game. Pioneers’ goalkeeper Tobias Stirl managed one save during the match.
MidAmerica Nazarene finished with twelve shots and four on target, while WVU Tech produced nine shots with three on frame.
WVU Tech (W.Va) will return to the pitch on Monday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m. against Grand View (Iowa).
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