Wheeling, WVa - The Wheeling Men's soccer team hosted Frostburg State at Bishop Schmitt Field tonight in their first home conference game of the 2026 season. The Bobcats attack proved too strong for the Cardinals this evening as they fell in a 3-1 defeat.
The opening exchanges of tonights tie were filled with intensity right away. By the 6th minute, Frostburg had already had two shots on target that, despite both being saved by Alberto Madail, sent a message straight to the Wheeling bench - Frostburg weren't going to be beaten lightly. They continues to pile pressure on with absence of any Cardinal shots on goal, and halfway through the 17th minute, Frostburg had the opening goal.
Wheeling made two changes following the goal, in hopes of pushing back into the game and nullifying the Frostburg attack. As the Cardinals battled their way back, Frostburg started to foul, and the game looked as though it was shifting. Wheeling won a corner approaching 30 minutes, but nothing came. The Cardinals suppressed the Frostburg attack as the first period came to a close, with Pablo Prieto's shot missing narrowly wide to close out the half.
Like the first period, Frostburg started the second half on the front foot - drawing fouls, winning corners, and testing Alberto Madial in the Wheeling net. Following 17 minutes played in the second half, Frostburg had their second, and seemingly control over the tie. Wheeling had fight left, however, and just over four minutes after Frostburg's second, Andoni Pipaon won a free kick outside the Bobcat box. With a ball in from Pablo Prieto, Enzo Boulaoued was there to advance it to Jorgen Bjerkreim, who got a goal back for the Cardinals when they needed it the most.
The Cardinals knew their best chance at levelling the tie was right away, and they set out on the front foot. Andoni Pipaon had his shot saved in the 67th before Jon-Michael Gordon just missed with a shot over the bar. With 20 minutes remaining, Jack Shearer made more substitutions in the hopes of coming away from the tie with a result. Pipaon again had another shot on target saved in the 71st, and defender Reilly Nickles missed his attempt wide just a minute later. Wheeling had squandered their changes at levelling, and Frostburg hit the gas pedal immediately. They put the game to bed in the 77th minute following a barrage of Wheeling chances with a goal from Abdallah Soulemana to make it 3-1. Wheeling had two corners in the last 10 along with a free-kick with 20 seconds remaining, that Andoni Pipaon put just over. It was a hard fought battle against a good side in Frostburg that the Cardinals unfortunately could not overcome, with the game ending 3-1 Frostburg.
The Wheeling Men's Soccer team will return to action on Sunday, September 13th, when they welcome neighbours West Liberty.
