BECKLEY, West Virginia-- In a challenging face-off during the NAIA Tournament Opening Round, the Madonna University Crusaders were narrowly defeated by West Virginia Tech University, concluding with a score of 4-3 on November 22, 2025, at Beckley, WV.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The match's intensity was palpable from the start, with both teams displaying strong offensive skills. By halftime, WVU Tech had built a significant lead of 3-1 over the Crusaders. Jordy Lopez and Daniel Watkins were the standouts for Madonna, contributing to the scoreboard with determined efforts. Lopez secured two goals, asserting his presence on the field, while Watkins added another, showcasing the offensive capabilities of the team.

Despite the disadvantage at halftime, the Crusaders displayed resilience and a robust competitive spirit in the second half. The Madonna side made notable attempts to close the gap, but after tying the game late in the second half, the Crusaders could not find a way in overtime to score the golden goal or send it to penalty kicks.

In goal, Afonso Henrique showed commendable skills for Madonna, facing a tough WVU Tech offense led by Keishon Clarke, who scored twice, and Tiago Costa, who not only contributed one goal but also scored the game-winning goal in overtime with just 9 seconds left. Leny Duperray also added a goal.

UP NEXT:

As the final whistle blew, the score stood at WVU Tech 4, Madonna 3, concluding the Crusaders' season with a record of 17-3-2. The team looks forward to regrouping and coming back stronger for the 2026 season.