Wheeling, W. Va. - On Saturday, the Wheeling University Women's Soccer team (4-11-2, 3-10-2) wraps up their 2021 season when they host West Liberty at Bishop Schmitt Field. It will be a day full of recognition as not only will they be honoring their five senior players, but they will also be helping to celebrate Wheeling University head Men's Soccer Coach Jim Regan's retirement after 39 years of coaching, 14 of those coming with the women's team.
The Cardinals are also looking for a bounce-back of sorts as they try and avenge their 0-0 tie last time they took Bishop Schmitt Field against West Virginia Wesleyan. The offense came out hot in the game, getting nine shots off in the first half and nearly scoring in the 36th minute, but they never could find the net. However, the defense was able to hold strong in the game, and the two teams would be forced to settle with a 0-0 stalemate.
It has been their senior leaders who have driven this team forward this season, and that group will once again look to power Wheeling on Saturday. Leading the charge on offense are seniors Braedynn Porter and Kenadee Burgoyne. Each has scored eight goals and are tied for sixth in the conference in goals this season. Burgoyne has a slight advantage, however, averaging a .533 goal average compared to a .471 for Porter. The duo combined to score the three goals Wheeling needed to defeat Davis & Elkins a week ago and will look to provide that offensive punch again on Saturday.
On defense, it has been senior Mikayla Yarwood in net that has helped keep her teams in games throughout the season. Against West Virginia Wesleyan, the senior posted her third straight double-digit save effort when she racked up 10 saves on 10 shots faced. She now has 125 saves on the season and is tops in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) in that category. Entering play on Saturday, she is just 24 saves shy of the single-season record of 149 saves, set by former Cardinal Danielle Beziat back in 1997. Over her four seasons, Yarwood has made 154 saves and sits 65 saves away from the career saves record of 219, set by Tina Dengler from 2001-2004.
While the Cardinal's hopes of making the MEC playoffs were wrapped up, they do enter Saturday with a chance to play spoiler for the Hilltoppers. West Liberty is currently tied for third in the MEC North Division, sitting at 5-7-3. If Wheeling can defeat West Liberty and Notre Dame College wins, Wheeling has a chance to knock their rivals out of playoff contention.
The Match-up
The cross-town rivalry between Wheeling and West Liberty dates back to the 2002 season, with Wheeling going 4-13-1 in the 18 match-ups. They have matched up once already this season, with the Hilltoppers taking the first game 2-0 back on September 29th. However, when the two teams play at Bishop Schmitt Field, Wheeling has had more success, going 3-6 in those nine games.
In the last meeting, it did not take long for the Hilltoppers to get on the board as they scored in the first thirty seconds of the game. They added another goal in the 53rd minute of the game, and that was the one that sealed the deal. Yarwood faced seven shots in net, making five saves in the loss, while Porter led the offensive attack taking three shots and putting two of those on net.
The Details
Kick-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 3 PM at Bishop Schmitt Field! You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
