#3 WVU Tech face #1 Oakland City tonight, winner gets a national championship birth
By WVU Tech Sports,
No. 3 WVU Tech at No. 1 Oakland City: RSC Championship Preview
When/Where: Wednesday, Nov. 12 • 6:00 p.m. ET • Goebel Soccer Complex (Evansville, Ind.)
Bracket: Higher seeds host (Nov. 5, 8, 12). Winner earns RSC’s automatic NAIA National Championship berth.
Coverage: goldenbearathletics.com/coverage
The Matchup
Third-seeded WVU Tech (11–4–4) travels to top-seeded Oakland City (14–2–2) on Wednesday evening for the 2025 River States Conference Championship in Evansville, Indiana.
The Golden Bears advanced past Brescia on penalties in the quarterfinal (0–0, 4–2 PKs) before upsetting No. 2 IU Kokomo 3–0 in the semifinals. Oakland City, the defending RSC champion and unbeaten in league play for the second straight season, defeated IU East 1–0 to reach its second consecutive title match.
The two teams met earlier this season on Oct. 11 in Evansville, playing to a 1–1 draw.
Form & Trends
WVU Tech
- Streaks: Unbeaten in last five; five straight shutouts
- Recent results: W 3–0 at IU Kokomo (Nov. 8), T 0–0 (W via PKs 4–2) vs. Brescia (Nov. 5), W 4–0 at SMWC (Nov. 1)
- Team profile: 42 goals (2.21/g), 0.78 GAA, 10 shutouts
- Key stat: Zero goals allowed across the last five matches
Oakland City
- Streaks: Won six straight; unbeaten in last 10
- Recent results: W 1–0 vs. IU East (Nov. 8), W 1–0 vs. Rio Grande (Nov. 1), W 6–0 at IU Columbus (Oct. 30)
- Team profile: 77 goals (4.28/g), 0.50 GAA, 12 shutouts
- Key stat: RSC leader in goals, assists, and shutouts for the second consecutive season
Awards & Accolades
WVU Tech
- Newcomer of the Year: Rocío Gutiérrez (5 G, 5 A)
- All-RSC First Team: Julia Silva, Rocío Gutiérrez
- All-RSC Second Team: Sandra Garcia Quílez, Sophie Quinlan, Nora Martin-Mora Segura
- All-RSC Third Team: Oda Aksnes
- Champion of Character: Sofia Filgueira
Oakland City
- Player & Offensive POY: Jana Mueller (16 G, 14 A, 46 PTS)
- Coach of the Year: Jamie Bladen
- All-RSC First Team: Alicia Garwood, Cassandre Thuillier, Jana Mueller, Norka Fergusson, Macey Woolcock
- All-RSC Second Team: Pauline Vinciguerra
- All-RSC Third Team: Sara Espinosa, Camilla Bedin
- Champion of Character: Polly Hogg
By the Numbers
| Category | WVU Tech | Oakland City |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 42 | 77 |
| Goals per Game | 2.21 | 4.28 |
| GAA | 0.78 | 0.50 |
| Shutouts | 10 | 12 |
| Shot % | .118 | .191 |
| Corner Kicks | 99 | 103 |
Players to Watch
WVU Tech
- Julia Silva – 12 goals, 2 game-winners; All-RSC First Team forward
- Rocío Gutiérrez – RSC Newcomer of the Year with 10 goal contributions
- Sandra Garcia Quílez – Senior goalkeeper (0.78 GAA, .795 SV%)
- Nora Martin-Mora Segura – Veteran forward with seven goals
Oakland City
- Jana Mueller – RSC Player of the Year; league leader in goals (16) and assists (14)
- Macey Woolcock – 12 goals, five assists; key attacking partner
- Norka Fergusson – 8 goals, 9 assists; creative force on the wing
- Alicia Garwood – First-Team goalkeeper with 0.57 GAA and nine shutouts
Series / Context
Earlier meeting: T 1–1 (Oct. 11, Evansville)
Seeding: No. 1 Oakland City vs. No. 3 WVU Tech
Winner claims the RSC’s automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round.
What to Watch Wednesday
- Midfield duel: Gutiérrez and Silva against Mueller and Del Hoyo Borrell.
- Defensive test: WVU Tech’s back line, anchored by Quinlan and Aksnes, faces a high-powered OCU attack.
- Goalkeeper battle: Garcia Quílez (.795 SV%) vs. Garwood (.750 SV%).
- History on the line: Oakland City seeks a second straight title; WVU Tech aims for its first RSC crown.
Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. ET Wednesday at Goebel Soccer Complex in Evansville, Indiana.
