Wheeling, W. Va. - The Wheeling University Women's Soccer team (0-1, 0-0) opened the 2022 season on Thursday when they battled Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponent Clarion at Bishop Schmitt Field. It was a hard-fought contest on both sides of the ball for the Cardinals, but a pair of second half Golden Eagle goals were enough to sink the Cardinals 3-2. Both of their top scorers from last season got in on the action with Kenadee Burgoyne and Braedynn Porter each scoring a goal, and Mikayla Yarwood picked up where she left off with a strong performance in net.
It didn't take long for Clarion to find their way on the board as they drove down the field and a pass from Kylee Cross to Taylor Serrano found the net to give Clarion a 1-0 lead. They controlled the ball for the first eight minutes of the game before a Clarion foul turned the tides in Wheeling's favor. Wheeling would fire off three of the next four shots, spanning nine minutes and their offense got going. At the 23-minute mark, Burgoyne had control of the ball and found an open Porter in front of the net. Porter made a move around the keeper and slapped the ball into the lower corner of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
Both teams were firing off shots throughout the first half, with Clarion holding the slight advantage at 12-9. However, the keepers were just as sharp as another goal was not scored over the next 21 minutes. Yarwood put in good work in the net for Wheeling, making three big saves to keep the score even at 1-1 heading into the final minute of the half. With 11 seconds showing on the clock, Wheeling got a chance for a corner kick. Mary DiFonzo rifled the ball in front of the net, a header by Landree Wilkin put it into position, and Kenadee Burgoyne took the opportunity, scoring her first goal of the season. It gave the Cardinals a 2-1 lead, their first of the game, as they broke for halftime looking to keep the momentum on their side.
The second half started a little chippy with the teams combining for five fouls in a row over the first six minutes. It was Clarion who would take advantage first as a corner kick to Jaci Bowser tied the game at 2-2 in the 59th minute. It wouldn't be tied for long as another corner kick opportunity resulted in another Clarion goal as they took a 3-2 lead with 23 minutes to play. Things almost got worse as Clarion ripped off a good-looking shot four minutes later, but Yarwood was able to dive to her left and punch the ball away to keep it at a one-goal Golden Eagle advantage. The Cardinals once again had the ball on a corner kick in the final seconds of the half, but this time it was too little too late as the clock ran out and Wheeling fell 3-2.
Leading the offense for the Cardinals was Kenadee Burgoyne, who finished with one goal, one assist, and a team-high eight shots. Braedynn Porter scored the team's other goal and was efficient in her shooting taking four shots and putting three on net. Mary DiFonzo added three shots, three on goal, and Talynn DeBartolo took two shots, putting one on net. Mikayla Yarwood picked up right where she left off in 2021, making 11 saves on 14 shots faced, and lowers her number to 76 saves away from the Wheeling school record.
The Wheeling University Women's Soccer team returns to the field on Thursday, September 1st, when they hit the road to face Ursuline with kick-off scheduled for 4 PM.
