Wheeling, W. Va. – After losing their four-game winning streak last time out, the Wheeling University Women's Soccer team looked to bounce back at home when they hosted West Virginia State. The Cardinals picked up a goal on a Penalty Kick in the second half, but it wasn't enough as they fell to the Yellow Jackets 4-1.

As the first half began, the Cardinals were looking to get the ball on their side of the field. West Virginia State notched the first four shots of the game, but Mikayla Yarwood held strong in net with two big saves. The Cardinals came out with their first shot in the game's 11th minute, when Talynn DeBartolo sent one wide right of the net. That shot created a more balanced attack for the rest of the half, with both teams looking for the first opportunity. Kenadee Burgoyne nearly gave Wheeling the lead in the 20th minute, but the shot came down just enough for the Yellow Jackets keeper to make the save. That first goal would follow seven minutes later when Fran Soares-Cupertino scored the first goal to make it a 1-0 Yellow Jackets lead. 

The two teams would go into halftime at that same score as the Cardinals looked to create more opportunities. The Cardinals came out quick when Mary DiFonzo sent a shot towards the net but a Yellow Jacket save kept things tied. West Virginia State would get on the board again in the 48th minute and the Cardinals went down 2-0. It took just two more minutes for the Yellow Jackets to add another goal and the Cardinals soon found themselves down by three. As the game went on more Cardinals got into the game and another penalty kick goal for West Virginia State made it a 4-0 game. The lone Cardinals goal came in the 76th minute when Braedynn Porter was fouled in the penalty box. She got a chance at a Penalty Kick and sent it past the keeper to cut the Yellow Jackets lead to 4-1. That is where the game would stay as Wheeling dropped to 4-4 in conference play as they head through October.

Braedynn Porter led the Cardinals offense with one goal on her only shot of the day. Kenadee Burgoyne and Mary DiFonzo led the offense with two shots each while Phepa Seopa, Landree Wilkin, Talynn DeBartolo, and Caryn Goins each got off a shot. Mikayla Yarwood got the start in net and made eight saves on 11 shots faced while playing 60 minutes. Sam Faulkner finished the final 29:37 and made five saves on six shots faced.

The Wheeling University Women's soccer team returns to action on Wednesday, October 5th when they hit the road to face Charleston at 5 PM