Wheeling, W. VA- Homecoming festivities will be happening all day at Wheeling University, and the Wheeling University Women's Soccer team (3-9-1, 2-8-1) will be providing some of those festivities. They host Glenville State in Mountain East Conference (MEC) action at 7 PM at Bishop Schmitt Field.
The Cardinals dropped a close one in overtime against Fairmont State last time out, losing 2-1. The Cardinals were at home and playing off the energy of the home crowd for the majority of the game. The contest was close throughout with Fairmont scoring their first goal quick in the fourth minute of the game. Senior goalkeeper Mikayla Yarwood kept her team close by making six key saves out of seven shots faced in the first half.
Wheeling would respond to Fairmont's early score in the 37th minute with a goal from Senior Braedynn Porter as she ran upfield and swerved around the keeper, putting the ball in the net. This goal would tie the match up 1-1 going into halftime, with the Falcons possessing the ball for the majority of the half and strong defensive efforts from the Cardinals. In the second half, Wheeling would come out stronger offensively by limiting the Falcon's time on offense. Wheeling would limit Fairmont to six second-half shots and get off four of their own, but none would go through the net, causing the second half to be scoreless.
Both teams fought hard in regulation, and it would carry to overtime. In the first nine minutes of overtime, it was a defensive matchup as both teams could not get on the board. However, in the 99th minute, the Falcons would break through with a goal from Ari Christian and take the victory for Fairmont. The loss was a tough one for the Cardinals to swallow, as it gave them their ninth loss of the season, but they look to bounce back against a tough Glenville State team.
The Match-up
Saturday's match-up will be the third overall in the series and the first matchup between these two teams in the 2021 season. Each team has taken a game in the last two games, both of which were played in Glenville, West Virginia. Wheeling is hoping to take advantage of some home-field advantage when they host the Pioneers for the hist time ever.
The last time these two teams met was in 2019, and Glenville won a close one 3-2. The Cardinals rallied but fell short in overtime, with the two goals coming from Shiann Thomas and Marley Magruder. The Cardinals look to bounce back by gaining a Mountain East Conference victory this Saturday and look to improve their overall and conference record.
The Details
Kickoff for Saturday's game is scheduled for 7 PM at Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
