Wheeling, W. Va. - "The Battle for Wheeling" came to Bishop Schmitt Field on Wednesday night as the Wheeling Women's Soccer team (3-4, 3-2) hosted West Liberty. The Cardinals got on the board early in the first half and held on to the lead through the rest of the night as they walked away 3-0 victors. Three different Cardinals scored goals throughout the night as Wheeling picked up their third straight victory and moved to 3-2 in Mountain East Conference (MEC) play.

After winning their last two games in a roll, the Cardinals came into play on fire and controlled possession right from the get-go. The Cardinals outshot the Hilltoppers 16-4 through the first 45 minutes of the game, including taking the five id the game's first nine shots, putting two of those shots on net. They would finally break theugh in the game's 23rd minute as the Cardinals brought the ball back up the field. Graduate student Kenadee Burgoyne brought the ball into the offensive zone and made some moves around defenders to creat an open shot. She took her shot and sailed one over the keepers head to give Wheeling a 1-0 lead. The Cardinals would hold it there for the rest of the first half and had a tight 1-0 lead.

As the game moved to the second half, it was  still anyone's match. The shot total was more balanced in the second half, with Wheeling taking nine shots to Wear Liberty's four, but the Cardinals continued to hold the ball in their offensive zone. It didn't take long for the Cardinals to add on as Mary DiFonzo went for the corner kick in the 53rd minute. She sent the ball towards the front of the net. It rattled around for a little bit before Linda Obare got her head on the ball. She sent it into the back of the net and Wheeling was ahead 2-0. The Cardinals had a few more opportunities early in the second half, but weren't able to convert. As the 70th minute ticked by by the Cardinals held tight to their 2-0 advantage and Head Coach Emmanuel Awotula went to his bench.

The first sub of the night saw Sam Faulkner releived Mikayla Yarwood, who finished the night with two saves and now needs eight more to read h the career saves record. As more subs came in, Wheeling would add the goal that clinched the game. In the 76th minute, Phepa Seopa hit a milestone as she made a run up the field. She found the back of the net for her first goal of her collegiate career to make it a 3-0 game. It would be the final goal of the night as Wheeling went on to win 3-0 to move to 3-2 in MEC play. They move up to the #2 spot in the MEC North Division as they continue their hunt for an MEC playoff spot. 

Three different Cardinals scored goals on the night, led by Kenadee Burgoyne, who scored her goal on 11 shots, four on goal. Linda Obare added a goal on one shot, while Phepa Seopa followed suit with a goal on one shot. Talynn DeBartolo added four shots, two on goal, and Braedynn Porter took three shots, one on goal to round out the offense. The Cardinals have now scored 11 goals in their last three games and look to keep their momentum going in conference play.

The Wheeling University Women's Soccer team returns to action on Sunday, September 25th, when they hit the road to face Alderson Broaddus at 2 PM.