Wheeling, W. Va. – The Wheeling Women's soccer team (1-3) looks to bounce back after a tough loss Sunday afternoon against another Mountain East Conference opponent in Frostburg State. It was back and forth throughout the first half. but a late goal by the Bobcats handed Wheeling their second conference loss of the season, and dropped them to 0-2 in their first two conference games.
A late-game goal from Frostburg sealed the deal on the contest making the final score 2-1. The Bobcats were the first ones to put points on the board in the first half with a goal from Lela Clark at the 36th-minute mark. That goal gave Frostburg an early 1-0 lead, but Wheeling's Shiann Thomas was looking to create a spark in the first half as she got her shot off in the 43rd-minute mark, but Frostburg was able to make a key save. This gave the bobcats a 1-0 halftime lead and in the first half Frostburg controlled the ball and outshot Wheeling 10-6, but the shots that were taken weren't accurate.
As the second half started Wheeling was looking to get a quick strike and they would get just that at the 50th-minute mark. Wheeling's Mary DiFonzo got a breakaway opportunity as had made a strike at the left corner of the goal. This goal put the Cardinals on the board and tied the game up in the second half. The two teams battled for most of the second half with the game being tied 1-1 as Frostburg looked to take advantage in the 54th minute Wheeling's Yarwood made a save to keep the score 1-1. However, a few minutes later, Frostburg get that extra goal they needed again from Lela Clark giving them a 2-1 lead. This would be the last of the offense either team was able to come up with through the duration of the game. With the final score being 2-1 as Frostburg's late goal holds off a Wheeling comeback.
Wheeling's top scorer Kenadee Burgoyne was shut down in the contest, and will look to bounce back against Notre Dame. The senior has a team-high three goals this season and has scored at least one goal in all but one of the Cardinals' games so far this season. Yarwood has made at least seven saves in every game this season and has been solid in net. The Cardinals are still a young team, but they are beginning to gel and are competing in every single game.
The Match-Up
The Wheeling University Women's Soccer team is back at home Wednesday night as they take on Notre Dame College at 7 PM. The Cardinals have yet to beat the Falcons, going 0-16 since their first meeting back in 2013. Wheeling has scored more than one goal in only one of those games and has been shutout in back to back games. The Cardinals will look to get some offense going this time around and give the Falcons a run for their money.
The last time these two teams faced off was on April 5th, 2021, in a game the Falcons won 1-0. Former Cardinal goalkeeper Jaci Wilson made a quartet of saves keeping the game scoreless heading into halftime, she finished the day with seven saves overall, with the only goal being allowed at the 60th minute. Wheeling was unable to fight back from there and ended up falling by that final score.
The Details
Kickoff for the Wheeling Women's soccer will be at 7 PM at Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
