It was a special moment from the start as all three seniors got to start in their final home game. Olivia Hoban and Zayna Hampton were each regulars in the starting lineup throughout the season, but Tsigereda Mulugeta got the opportunity to make her first collegiate start. She would end up playing the first 25 minutes of the game as a midfielder before giving away to Freshman Maya Munoz. During those first 25 minutes, the Cardinals got the offense going early as Talynn DeBartolo Put a shot on net followed by an off-target shot from Olivia Hoban. However, it was West Liberty that got on the board first as Isabella Aperfine Put the ball in the back of the net in the 13th minute to make it 1-0 West Liberty. They followed that go up with another shot, but Olivia Kqira would make the safe to keep it a 1-0 affair.
 

At the half went on, West Liberty added another goal in the 25th minute as they took a 2-0 lead early. However, the Cardinals would continue to battle As the Cardinals outshot West Liberty 9-8 over the first 45 minutes. The Cardinals had a big scoring opportunity in the 38 minute as Nyah Smith was sent on a run. She would take her shot on net, but it would be saved by West Liberty goalkeeper Zara Wickert to keep it a 2-0 West Liberty lead. Annette Haidle took one final shot in the 42nd minute before the half expired but it missed the target. The Cardinals went into the locker room trailing 2-0, but we're being efficient with five of their nine shots landing on net. As they entered the second half they looked to turn some of those shots on goal into points on the scoreboard.
 

Just a minute into the new half, the Cardinals were once again shooting as Medina Doka Put a shot on that that was saved. However, it was the Hilltoppers that will get the first score of the half as they made a 3-0 lead. Wheeling continue to take their shots, putting four straight on net following the Hilltop or goal but they couldn't find a way past Wickert. West Liberty's fourth goal of the night would come in the 67th minute before a senior connection netted the Cardinals loan goal. In the 72nd minute, Zayna Hampton would take a free kick for the Cardinals. She sent the ball flying across the field where Junior Mary DiFonzo was waiting. She put it in the back of the net for her 13th goal of the season as the Cardinals cut into the Hilltopper lead making it 4-1. However, West Liberty would add one more goal on the night to bring the game to its final score of 5-1.
 

Leading the way for the Cardinals was Mary DiFonzo, who took five shots, putting four on goal including the loan score of the night. She finished the 2023 season with 13 goals, setting her new career high by five, has she finishes a breakout year. The other Cardinal point on the night came from Zayna Hampton, who picked up her first assist of the 2023 season. Morgan Montani added three shots, two on goal, while Nyah Smith and Annette Haidle each finish with two shots. Goalkeeper Olivia Kqira Finish the night with five saves on 10 shots face to round out her season. We congratulate all the seniors for their time at Wheeling and thank them for all the hard work they have put into the program.
 

The Wheeling University Women's Soccer team Now heads into the offseason as they look to continue to grow for 2024.