Wheeling, W. Va. - The 2022 season provided a big confidence boost for the Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team (0-0, 0-0) as they put together their best season since 2018 and were on the cusp of a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) playoff spot. On Saturday, they start their journey all over again when they host their 2023 season opener against Roberts Wesleyan with the opening face-off scheduled for noon. The Cardinals bring back a strong core of veteran players along with some talented transfers and newcomers who look to get the season started on the right foot.
The 2022 season was a year of milestones for the team as they finished with their best record since 2018 at 4-9 overall and 2-4 in conference play. After dropping their first five games of the season, the first milestone moment came during their game on March 6th against Felician. The team would earn an 8-7 overtime victory, marking their first home victory since the 2018 season. The Cardinals would pick up their first GMAC win of the season against Davis & Elkins on April 16th and headed into their penultimate week of the season with a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a win over Walsh. Unfortunately, things did not fall the Cardinals way as they fell to Walsh, but they ended the year with a 15-3 win to head into the off-season with momentum on their side.
Returning to lead the way on offense for the Cardinals is junior Mike Andersson, who was on the cusp of a historic season in 2022. The sophomore finished with a team-high 37 goals, falling just nine goals shy of the single-season goal record of 46, set by former Cardinal Derek Downs. Andersson wrote his name in the history books on a couple of occasions last season, tying the single-game goal record twice with seven goals against both St. Thomas Aquinas and Alderson Broaddus. Andersson will be joined by teammates Brody Fawver and Jacob Knippel as they combine to create the Cardinal's dynamic offensive attack. Knippel led the team with 15 assists last season while sitting third in goals (14), while Fawver was second in goals (17) and second in assists (13).
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cardinals return a pair of strong midfielders in sophomores Adam Zdanowicz and John Zaramba. Zdnawoicz was in the running for the GMAC Freshman of the Year award last season and was a havoc to opposing offenses. He was second on the team with 14 caused turnovers while picking up 32 ground balls throughout the year. Zaramba's main role was in Face-offs, where he had a faceoff percentage of .451, but he also made his presence felt on defense. He led the team with 55 ground balls last season and will look to once again be that solid presence in the midfield. The Cardinals also have two veteran goalkeepers returning into the mix in Joshua Wolford and Austin Hall as they look to limit opposing offenses on the attack.
As the Cardinals head into their 2023 schedule, the team once again faces a daunting non-conference schedule that runs through the end of February. After Saturday's season-opener, the team has to take on Quincy (2/17), Rockhurst (2/19), and D'Youville (3/1) to round out the month. However, the Cardinals will get the benefit of homefield advantage, with three of those four games coming at Bishop Schmitt Field. Of the Cardinal's 15 games this season, 10 of them come at home as the team gets the chance to feel the comforts of home. With the always competitive GMAC schedule beginning on March 18th, the team will use the next month to get things together and prepare for a run at the conference tournament.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Red Hawks are meeting for the fifth time in program history on Saturday with the first four games being split by the two teams. Wheeling has the advantage when the series is played at home, going 2-1 in home games, however, they haven't beaten Roberts Wesleyan at home since the 2015 season. It has been a high-scoring series overall, with the Cardinals averaging 10.5 goals per game as the Cardinals look to break a short two-game losing stint to the Red Hawks.
Last season, Wheeling went on the road to Roberts Wesleyan and fell in one of those high scoring affairs 17-10. Brody Fawver led the way in that game, scoring two goals and adding three assists for a total of five points. Jacob Knippel added two goals of his own while John Zaramba, Mitchell Park, and Jake Wodarek each added goals of their own in the loss.
The Details
The opening faceoff for Saturday's game is scheduled for noon at Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
