Buckahnnon, W. Va. – As the Men's Soccer season comes down to its final three weeks, the Wheeling University Men's Soccer team (6-7-1, 6-5-1) is looking to hold onto their top four spot in the Mountain East Conference (MEC). It was a tight game throughout, but Junior Richard Afolayanka lifted his team to a 1-0 win over West Virginia Wesleyan after a second half goal. The Cardinals go above the .500 mark in conference play for the first time this season, and maintain their third place standing in the conference.

After the two teams battled to a 0-0 tie over the first 45 minutes, they both came out strong in the second half trying to gain an advantage. The Cardinals would get the first shot of the second half, but Diego Buenano sent the ball wide of net in the 55th minute. As a result, the Cardinals would get a corner kick, but were unable to capitalize. The Bobcats were up next as they sent two shots wide of the net and the score remained 0-0. Afolayanka would then send a ball towards net in the 63rd minute, but was denied. He would get another chance in the 70th minute, but this time sent one wide of the net. After a West Virginia Wesleyan corner kick, Afolayanka would get his third chance in the game's 77th minute.

Harry Martin brought the ball up the field after the failed corner kick as the Cardinals took control. Afolayanka got free in front of the net, and Marring sent the ball his way. Afolayanka would not miss this time, sending the shot into the back corner of the net and giving Wheeling the 1-0 lead. It was Afolayanka's sixth goal of the season and his first game winning goal of the season. West Virginia Wesleyan had one more shot in the 89th minute, but they sent the shot wide and Wheeling would go on to win the game 1-0. It was their sixth win of the season as they moved above the .500 mark for the first time this season.

It was a big offensive day for the Junior from Uniondale, New York, as he led the team with five shots, putting three of those on net. Afolayanka now ties Buenano for the team lead in goals this season with six, and he now has a goal in three of his last four games and the Cardinals have gone 3-4 during that stretch. Diego Buenano was up next, taking three shots on the day, while putting one on goal to round out Wheeling's multi-shot takers. Harry Martin took the team's final shot of the day as the Cardinals took nine team shots, putting five on net in one of their most efficient games of the season. Senior Austin Aaron got the start in net and picked up his first shutout of the year, but didn't have to make a save in the game.

In the game's first half, neither team was able to get on the board but the Cardinals still outshot the Bobcats 5-2. However, West Virginia Wesleyan would get four corner kicks in the half but, luckily for the Cardinals, they couldn't take advantage. The defense, led by sophomore Armando Loynaz and Freshmen Adam Edvinsson, and Aaron James. The Cardinals were able to hold off the Bobcats until Afolayanka was able to pick up the big goal to lead Wheeling to victory.

The Wheeling University Men's Soccer team returns to action on Wednesday, October 19th, when they host Concord at 7 PM.