Wheeling, W. Va. - Before Saturday night's game, the Wheeling University Women's Soccer team honored their senior class in their final regular season home game at Bishop Schmitt Field. The score didn't go the way the team would have liked, as they fell 8-1, but the seniors got a nice sendoff and all active seniors got to play on the day. The Cardinals will now take to the road hoping to keep their MEC playoff hopes alive.
After the senior day ceremonies were in the books, the game started with Davis & Elkins getting out to an early lead. They scored in the game's third minute to take a 1-0 lead. Wheeling responded quickly, with a shot by
Braedynn Porter just a few minutes later, but unfortunately it was denied. Davis & Elkins would go on to score four unanswered goals over the first 34 minutes of play and took a 4-0 lead. However, the Cardinals kept on shooting throughout the half no matter what the score, getting four shots off during that time. Their persistence would pay off as in the 35th minute
Talynn DeBartolo would get the ball in front of the net, she made a move around the Davis & Elkins defender and found the net to make it 4-1.
The teams would head into the locker room with that same 4-1 score remaining as the Cardinals looked to capitalize on more opportunities in the second half. Wheeling would get the first shot on goal in that second half, as DeBartolo sent the ball towards the net but couldn't get it in. The Cardinals got off six shots in the second half, but was unable to find the net. Davis & Elkins would add four more goals in that second half to extend their lead to 8-1. As the game winded down, Head Coach
Emmanuel Awotula pulled his seniors one by one and gave the Wheeling fans a chance to recognize them for their time in Wheeling.
Kenadee Burgoyne,
Braedynn Porter,
Landree Wilkin, and
Mikayla Yarwood all finished their fifth years while
Rilei Levesque,
Shiann Thomas,
Allison Cook,
Linda Obare,
Nadia Peters, and
Ana Molnar were all honored before the game.
The Cardinals offense was led on the day by
Kenadee Burgoyne and
Braedynn Porter, who ea ch got off three shots on the night.
Talynn DeBartolo added two shots on goal and
Mary DiFonzo had two shots to round out the night.
Mikayla Yarwood got the start in net and made four saves on nine shots faced while
Sam Faulkner played the final 30 minutes and made three saves on three shots faced. The Cardinals are still looking for two wins or two West Liberty losses down the stretch to clinch the program's first-ever MEC playoff berth.
The Wheeling University Women's Soccer team returns to action on Wednesday, October 26th, when they head to West Virginia Wesleyan at 1 PM.
