Fairmont, W. Va. - The Wheeling University Women's Soccer team (1-2, 0-1) came out fast and furious in their Mountain East Conference (MEC) opener on Wednesday night against Fairmont State. However, the early goals weren't enough to keep the Cardinals in front as they fell to Fairmont State 3-2.
It took just two minutes for the offense to get going as Kenadee Burgoyne (South Jordan, UT./Herriman) scored the first goal of the night for the third day in a row. Burgoyne took the ball upfield and found the net to get Wheeling out to a 1-0 lead. It was the fastest goal scored by Wheeling this season, and the first time they scored in the first 20 minutes of a game. With momentum on their side, Wheeling was hoping to hold onto the lead.
They would get an insurance goal just three minutes later as Burgoyne once again found the net. This time, the senior took a pass from fellow senior Braedynn Porter (Mineral Ridge, OH./Mineral Ridge) and gave Wheeling a 2-0 lead. The quick-strike Cardinal offense had the lead, but the Falcons would get one back themselves in the 7th minute on a goal by Kiera Kuzinski, and just like that it was 2-1 Wheeling.
The offensive attack calmed down over the next 20 minutes as the focus turned to the defensive side of the ball. Each goalie made two saves during the run before Fairmont State would find themselves on the board again. In the 30th minute, Jessica Schneider found the net and tired things up at 2-2. The score would remain deadlocked into halftime as both teams were evenly matched. Fairmont was outshooting Wheeling 8-7 and the saves were 5-3 in favor of the Falcons. Both teams would come out of the locker room on the attack after the quick offense to start the game.
It took a bit longer this time, but Fairmont took the advantage in the 57th minute when Tricia Lemasters made it 3-2 Fairmont. Wheeling fought hard for the rest of the evening but were unable to get that key opportunity to tie up the game. Wheeling's Burgoyne nearly tied the game in the 88th minute, but a big save kept the score 3-2 and secured the victory for Fairmont State.
Burgoyne recorded her first multi-goal game of the season and led the team with six shots, five of which landing on goal. Porter followed her going 3-3 with shots on goal while grabbing an assist in the game. Goalkeeper Mikayla Yarwood (Surrey, British Columbia/Clayton Heights) allowed three goals in the game and made six saves over her 90 minutes in net.
The Wheeling University Women's Soccer team returns home this Sunday when they battle Frostburg State at 1 PM.
