Wheeling, W. Va. – On Sunday, the Wheeling University Women's Soccer team (5-10-2, 2-9-2) hosted a match with Mountain East Conference (MEC) Tournament implications as they welcomed in Notre Dame College. After being tied 1-1 for th majority of the second half, I need a late scoring streak for the Falcons that would sink Wheeling 4-1. With the loss, the Cardinals were officially eliminated from playoff competition as they get set to wrap up the 2023 season.

With a lot on the line for the Cardinals, the offense came out ready to fire as Mary DiFonzo put a shot on net just one minute into the game. They would add another shot on goal in the fourth minute as Nyah Smith took her shot, but was once again denied. Throughout the first half, the Cardinals took six shots, putting four of those on goal with all of those shots on goal coming in the first 25 minutes. The score sat tied at 0-0 through the first 40 minutes of play, before Notre Dame College would break the stalemate. Mia Maruna would be the one to score as the Cardinals found themselves down 1-0 with just five minutes left before the break. On the ensuing kick-off, Notre Dame College made one more run, but Olivia Kqira would make the save to keep it a 1-0 score.

After stopping a Falcons' corner kick with three minutes to go, the Cardinals made one final run. Morgan Montani possessed the ball in front of the net and tapped a pass to her left to DifFonzo. DiFonzo was able to convert as she shot the ball into the upper right corner of the net and Wheeling was able to tie the game with 2:46 to go before the half. It was her 12th goal of the season and her eighth goal in the last five games as she continues to be a leader for the offense. That would be the final strike before the teams entered the locker room, and the game would remain tied at 1-1. With the Cardinals getting the strike to end the half, they looked to keep that momentum going as they came out for the second half. 

After the Falcons got the first shot of the half, the Cardinals had their biggest scoring opportunity of the night in the 50th minute. Talynn DeBartolo brought the ball up to the 30-Yard Line and sent a shot towards the net. It was a beautiful arc, but unfortunately clang off the top crossbar and bounced out in front of the net. DiFonzo was waiting for the carom and took her shot, but it was saved by Notre Dame College's Jordan Pasquala and it stayed tied at 1-1. Those would be the only two Cardinal shots of the half as they were outshot 13-2 over the final 45 minutes of play. Notre Dame College would add goals in the 82nd, 83rd, and 89th minutes and that would bring the game to it's final score of 4-1.

Leading the way for the Cardinals was Mary DiFonzo, who scored the team's lone goal while putting both of her shots on goal. It was her eighth goal in the last five games as she moves into second in the conference with her 12 goals as she continues to build on her career-high. Talynn DeBartolo led the team in shots on the day, taking three and putting two on goal, while Nyah Smith took two shots and put one on goal. Olivia Kqira got the start in net and faced 10 shots on the day, and made six saves. After being eliminated from playoff contention, the Cardinals will wrap up 2023 on Wednesday afternoon as they honor their seniors in their senior day competition.

The Wheeling University Women's Cross Country team returns to action on Wednesday, November 1st, when they take on West Liberty at 4 PM.