Elkins, W. Va. – In a Sunday night special, the Wheeling University Men's Soccer team (1-13-3, 0-11-2) wrapped up the road portion of their schedule against Davis & Elkins. The Cardinals were able to get on the board with a second half goal, but it wasn't enough as they fell to the Senators 5-1. The Cardinals defense stiffened as the game went on, allowing just two Davis & Elkins goals over the final 45 minutes, but it wasn't enough to lift the Cardinals to victory.

The lone Cardinal goal on the day came courtesy of freshman Jon-Michael Gordon in the 51st minute. The goal helped move him into a tie for first on the team in goals this season with three, as he finished with three shots taken and one of those being on net. The Cardinals leading shot takers on the night were senior Sam Clark and freshman Johannes Haugerud, who each finished with five shots each. Haugerud led the way with three shots on goal while Clark put two shots on goal to supplement his day. Joergen Bjerkreim, Richard Afolayanka, and Elim Babylon would take the final three shots of the day. Carlos Molina got the start in net for the Cardinals and was able to make four saves on nine shots faced.

The Cardinals would try and take an early advantage, taking the first two shots of the contest. Haugerud took a shot in the second minute that was saved by Davis & Elkins's Grant Wyles and Sam Clark followed with a shot off net. The Cardinals would also get the first scoring opportunity of the night as Clark would get to attempt a Penalty Kick in the 18tj minute. Wyles came up big for his team again with another save and that momentum would carry the Senators. They would score their first goal later in that 18th minute to make it a 1-0 Davis & Elkins lead. In the 38th minute, it would be Davis & Elkins's turn to attempt a Penalty Kick and Molina would come up big with the save to keep it 1-0. However, two more Senators goals would lead the teams into halftime as Davis & Elkins held a 3-0 advantage.

The shots were about even through the first 45 minutes of play, with Davis & Elkins holding the slight 11-10 advantage and that close differential would remain in the second half. After an off-target shot by the Senators to start the half, the Cardinals would get going as Clark brought the ball up the field. He would send Gordon on a beautiful run towards the net, and the freshman converted with his third goal of the season to make it a 3-1 game. It was the third goal of the season for Gordon, tying him for the team lead as he continues his strong freshman season. After two more Davis & Elkins goals in the 62nd and 70th minutes to make it 5-1., Haugerud tried to equal Gordon's three goal season with a shot in the 82nd minute. However, Wyles jumped in front of the ball to make the save and brought the game to it's final 5-1 score.

The Wheeling University Men's Soccer team wraps up the 2023 season on Wednesday, November 1st, when they host West Liberty at 7:30 PM on Senior Night.