ORANGE BEACH, Ala. – The No. 17 Indiana Tech men's soccer team entered day five on Thursday down at the final site in Alabama as they geared up for a quarterfinal contest against No. 15 ranked and No. 11 seed West Virginia Tech at the NAIA National Championship Tournament.
 
The Golden Bears were arguably the hottest team in the country entering the day, with an undefeated 18-0-2 record this season and winners of 16 straight games. But the Warriors would enter the day also with 18 wins on the season and currently on a seven-game win streak prior to the game, setting up a good matchup between two teams who were both trying to reach the national semifinal for the first time in program history.
 
Unfortunately for the Warriors, West Virginia Tech would open the contest with a goal on the first shot of the game just over seven minutes in to go up 1-0. Just moments later, Tech would attack quickly as Mark Mc Daid would get a shot off but would miss wide. In the 18^th minute, the Golden Bears would capitalize on some good passing and score a second goal to extend their lead. The Warriors would start to get some pressure over the next ten minutes with two shots and a corner kick but would not be able to get any chances on goal. Tech would struggle as WV Tech kept possession throughout the first half, but with the score at 0-2, the Warriors would not be out of the contest, especially since both Tech goals in the national tournament came in the second half, giving the Orange & Black hope for a comeback.
 
In the second half, the Warriors would continue what they have done all tournament by coming out strong and putting on the pressure early. Tech would register the first two shots and a corner kick in the opening ten minutes as the momentum started to turn. But after some substitutions, WV Tech would regain control of the game, scoring on a counterattack in the 69^th minute to make it 3-0 and all but seal the victory. The Warriors would fight to the end, but the Golden Bears would add another late goal in the closing minutes, wrapping up a spot in the semifinals with a 4-0 win. Filip Maksimovic and Gui Moreira would both register two shots for the Warriors, while Cuba Grant made three saves in goal.
 
The Warriors close the season with an 18-5-1 overall record, falling in the NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinal. The 18 wins ties the program record (1981, 1983, 2020-21, 2021) and the quarterfinal run ties the furthest finish at the national tournament in program history (2009, 2021, 2023). Tech would also win a seventh straight WHAC Tournament Title this season after finishing the regular season in second place with a 9-2 record in conference play.