Wheeling, W. Va. - The Wheeling University women's soccer team battled Frostburg State through a scoreless first half Wednesday afternoon, but the Bobcats scored three times in a four-minute span early in the second half to hand the Cardinals a 3-0 loss at Bishop Schmitt Field. The matchup marked Wheeling's 2026 home opener and moved the Cardinals to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in Mountain East Conference play.
Wheeling goalkeeper Madison Reis-Elbara kept the Cardinals within striking distance throughout the opening 45 minutes, making six saves as Frostburg controlled possession and created several opportunities. Reis-Elbara stopped shots from Cassidy Paige, Rayiah Davis, Ella Combs, Madison Hinton and Mia Hudson during the half, while Frostburg also hit the post on a Paige attempt in the seventh minute. The Cardinals entered halftime trailing in shots 14-0 but remained tied 0-0.
Frostburg finally broke through in the 55th minute when Rayiah Davis headed home a Cassidy Paige assist to make it 1-0. The Bobcats doubled their advantage less than three minutes later when Emma Hostetler scored at 57:43, and Paige capped the three-goal stretch at 58:59 off an assist from Mollie Rebuck. Wheeling continued to battle following the three-goal burst, with Jeanery Diaz recording a shot in the 67th minute and Rosie Caley putting two shots wide of the goal later in the half.
Reis-Elbara finished the afternoon with 10 saves, marking her second straight double-digit save performance and giving her 30 saves through four games. Frostburg finished with a 26-3 advantage in shots and 13-0 edge in shots on goal.
The Cardinals will return to action Sunday when they host rival West Liberty at 4 p.m. at Bishop Schmitt Field.
