Bridgeport Boys Soccer Team Makes History with First State Title in School History with 3-1 Win Over Nitro
By Jeff Toquinto on November 08, 2025
Bridgeport's boys’ soccer team made history by capturing the Class AAA state title - the first title in school history - by topping top-seeded Nitro 3-1 at the Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex in Beckley this afternoon.
“It’s hard to really express. It hasn’t settled in yet,” said Coach Keith Dumas. “To bounce back after losing Grayson (Church to a torn ACL at the start of the postseason) … one of the best players in the state and then do what this team did to rally around him and put together a run ending in a title. As a team you can’t ask for anything more.”
Offensively, Dumas could not have asked more than what he got from Riel Figueroa’s with two second half goals that proved to be the difference in the contest. The biggest of those goals came late when he managed to get a shot in over the keeper with 3:08 left in the contest to give the Indians a chance to exhale on their way to the winner’s circle.
“Riel is so elusive. He’s a goldfish (short memory). He’ll take a shot that won’t be near anything, and the next one is in the back of the net because he believes he can finish the ball,” said Dumas. “That’s his job and he knows it’s his job. … The two goals he scored were off hard work and getting around the defender to get in position to put the kicks away.”
The Indians end a spectacular season with a 20-1-2 record. It also marked the return to the state tournament for the first time since 2012 when the Indians with then assistant coach, and now current head coach, Dumas on the sidelines in what turned out to be a setback to eventual state champion Charleston Catholic.
The ending would be different this time. And a hint of what was to come came early after intermission when Figueroa's first goal broke a 
second half deadlock and came as he was falling to the ground. The score from close range came with 23 minutes left and put Bridgeport ahead 2-1 and would be the only offense until Figueroa scored again to ice it.
second half deadlock and came as he was falling to the ground. The score from close range came with 23 minutes left and put Bridgeport ahead 2-1 and would be the only offense until Figueroa scored again to ice it.
The Tribe opened the game's scoring with a strike from Phillip Nguyen. He scored on a screamer in the 12th minute.
“That shot was incredible. To take a shot like that with such touch that I don’t even think the keeper moved tells you how good it was,” said Dumas.
As it turns out, the lead would be short lived. Bodie Jordan would even the match up with a goal of his own for the Wildcats in the 14th minute of play.
Things would slow down after the two quick scores in the title game. Eventually, the game would go into the intermission with the contest deadlocked at 1-1.
The first half also proved to be a bit physical. The officials issued three yellow cards - two against NHS and one against Bridgeport.
Bridgeport’s defense also cannot be overlooked. And there were a couple of things needing to be noted.
Standout senior defender Tucker Pomeroy played despite throwing up for large parts of Friday, this morning, and Dumas said he threw up
even right before the game. That was the first of a couple of parts.
even right before the game. That was the first of a couple of parts.
“He really gutted it out. As good as he has been we needed guys to step up since he wasn’t feeling up to par. Dominic (Figueroa) and Nate (Dodson) knew they had to pick up their game and they did,” said Dumas.
The second thing involved a strategic change at the break. Dumas said during the intermission the Indians decided to focus heavily on Bodie Jordan.
“We put Jonah Coakley on Bodie Jordan who is definitely one of the best players in the state,” said Dumas. “I don’t think he had one clear shot in the second half. The defense, like it has done all year, came up big.”
Four Indians made the all-tournament team. The members include Tucker Pomeroy, goalie Andrew Dumas, Riel Figueroa, and Phillip Nguyen. Nguyen was named the tournament's most valuable player.
The Indians were able to play in today's championship game thanks to a 2-1 win against Greenbrier East. BHS won that contest in overtime on a golden goal by Figueroa.
Bridgeport’s starters are Andrew Dumas, Tucker Pomeroy, Adam Jackson, Philip Nguyen, Riel Figueroa, Nate Dodson, Paxton Pomeroy, Jonah Coakley, Eli Terebus, Julian Johnson, and Dominic Figueroa. The rest of the roster consists of Austin Dick, Maddox Pudder, Jacob Keener, Jaylen Brown, Eric Alvarez, Miguel Marquez, Wyatt Griffin, Trey Callahan, Grady Varah, and Riley Pevler.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows the championship team photo. In the second image, Riel Figueroa is shown after scoring one of his two second half goals. In the third image, Phillip Nguyen battles against Nitro, while the fourth photo shows Coach Keith Dumas getting a post game victory bath from the team. Bottom photo shows the team celebrating following the formal trophy presentation. Photos courtesy of Teran Malone/WVSSAC.
