Box Score Wheeling, W.Va. -- On a bone chilling night at Bishop Schmitt field, the Wheeling Jesuit University Women's soccer team took on MEC Conference opponent University of Charleston Golden Eagles.   In a tightly contested game, the attacking prowess of both teams started slow with both teams battling for control in the midfield.

Charleston started attacking more frequently midway through the first half.  Most of the shots came from long range and other than a slick turf surface, Cardinal goalkeeper Holly Kraus kept a clean sheet through the break denying the skipping shots.  The Cardinals created two good chances just before the half, both created from quick combination play resulting in shots on goal.  But, the Golden Eagle goalkeeper hastily denied each attempt.  The game was 0-0 at the break.

The second half started with a bang, as the opponents struck first, only 2 minutes into the half.  Midfielder Holly Bigg picked up an errant pass from 30 yards out and drove the ball into the top corner.  Merely 5 minutes later in the 52^nd minute, the Golden Eagles struck again as Ivey Nucilli collected a cross from Lauren Haven and pushed it past the Cardinal goalkeeper.

After the second goal, the Cardinals completely took over possession and control of the game.  Attack after attack continued to unfold for the Cardinals.  Eventually, the hard work and fight displayed by the team throughout the season paid off.  Forward Aubrey Hutchinson pressured the Golden Eagle goalkeeper, tackling the ball.  As the ball popped into the air towards a group of players, forward Nikki Hillard ran through her tackle smashing the ball into the back of the net.

Again the Cardinals attacked.  Creating several more good chances, some resulting in corner kicks, but came up short.  In the last 15 minutes of play, the Cardinals did everything but put the ball in the back of the net, again showing their effort and work rate to fight until the very end.  Unfortunately, the game ended 2-1 in favor of the Golden Eagles.
The Wheeling Jesuit University Women's Soccer team gets back in MEC Conference action, at home, on Saturday October 25^th against cross-town rival West Liberty University.  Kick off time is 3:00pm.