Second-Half Strike Lifts WVU Tech Past Ottawa for Last Remaining Quarterfinals Spot
WVU Tech (W.Va) defeated Ottawa (Kan.) 2-1 in a tightly contested match on Tuesday night, becoming the last team to snag a spot in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Men's Soccer Championship Tournament.
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. - WVU Tech (W.Va) defeated Ottawa (Kan.) 2-1 in a tightly contested match on Tuesday night, becoming the last team to snag a spot in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Men's Soccer Championship Tournament. The Golden Bears struck first in the 10th minute when Keishon Clarke finished off a setup from Hugo Roman to give WVU Tech the early lead. Ottawa responded quickly, with Alonso Basauri converting a feed from Sam Hatswell in the 14th minute to level the score at 1-1.
Play was evenly matched, with both teams creating chances but neither able to pull ahead before the intermission. The early stages of the second half continued in a similar vein, with Ottawa coming close when a penalty at 58:52 went unconverted, keeping the score level.
WVU Tech eventually broke through in the 71st minute, as Julen Recalde connected on a well-placed pass from Clarke to give his team the lead. The Braves pressed hard in the remaining minutes, searching for an equalizer, but their efforts were unable to change the outcome.
Statistically, the Golden Bears held a 16-9 advantage in shots, with a 10-7 edge in the second half, and also led the charge in corner kicks (8–1). Ottawa’s goalkeeper, David Martinez, made 11 saves, while WVU Tech’s Luka Felix recorded five saves.
The Golden Bears' second-half push proved decisive, giving them the hard-fought 2–1 triumph.
WVU Tech will return to the pitch on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. against Indiana Tech.