Wheeling, W. Va. - The Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team (0-5, 0-1) got their first taste of Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) play last time out when they battled Seton Hill. They now return home for a non-conference match when they take on Felician University with face-off at 10 AM. They are still looking for their first win of the season and hope to get it against a team that they defeated last season at Bishop Schmitt Field.
The Cardinals battled Seton Hill in their GMAC conference opener last time out but ended up falling 22-5. The Cardinals couldn't get on the board in the first quarter, and the Griffins took advantage scoring five goals over the first 15 minutes. As the game went on, Wheeling was able to spread their five goals out over the final three quarters with two in the second and third and another goal in the fourth. However, the Griffin offense just became too much to handle as the Cardinals fell 22-5 and dropped to 0-1 in GMAC play.
After being held off the board for the first time this season in the game against Roberts Wesleyan, sophomore Attack Mike Andersson came back with a vengeance scoring a team-high two goals. Andersson now has seven goals on the season and is tied for third in the conference with seven goals this season. Freshman Brenner Chase also got in on the action with his fifth goal of the season and has now scored five goals in his last three games for an average of 2.5 goals per game. Jacob Knippel and Jake Wodarek added the other two goals to round out Wheeling's offensive attack.
In net, the Cardinals used two different goalies, Joshua Wolford, and Dallin Isaacson each played a half in the game. Wolford allowed 12 goals in his 30 minutes of in net while making seven saves in what was his fifth start of the season. However, as the game moved to the second half, Wheeling called on senior Dallin Isaacson. Isaacson also played 30 minutes in the game and allowed 10 goals against while making eight saves. Both made a fair amount of saves as they battle for playing time this season.
For the Cardinals, Saturday's game will be a chance for them to regroup after a tough conference opener. They have scored at least six goals in three of their five games this season, including a season-high 10 spot in their previous non-conference game against Roberts Wesleyan. The Cardinals have multiple guys who can score when they are needed to, and when all their weapons are clicking, they have the pieces to create a strong offensive attack moving forward.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Golden Falcons are meeting for the second time in team history after the two met in Newark, New Jersey last season. That was a game that Wheeling battled in and came away with a 10-8 victory, their first of the 2021 season. The Cardinals took the lead early in that game with five first half goals and rode that lead the rest of the way as they picked up a big victory.
In that previous match-up, Jacob Knippel had a big game with a career-high four goals in the win. Brody Fawver added two goals and an assist in that game while Mike Andersson came through with two goals of his own. Dallin Isaacson got the start in net in the most recent match-up and gave up eight goals while making eight saves.
The Details
The opening face-off for Saturday morning's game is scheduled for 10 AM at Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats HERE.
