Wheeling, W. Va. - Through the first four games of the season, the Wheeling University Men's Soccer team (0-4-1, 0-2-1) have been close but haven't gotten that late score to push them over the top. On Saturday, they were unable to get their first win of the 2023 season, but a goal in the game's 85th minute was enough to earn them a 1-1 draw against Concord. The late goal helped the Cardinals earn their first point towards the standings of the season, and they look to carry the momentum with them as they hit the road for the rest of the month of September.
Throughout the game's first half, both teams were taking shots, but no one could penetrate the other's defensive effort. Concord held the shot advantage at 11-6 over the Cardinals, but of the 17 first-half shots taken, only four found their way on goal. Wheeling goalkeeper Carlos Molina did his part, making several big saves throughout the first half as he worked to keep the Mountain Lions at bay. He also got help from the back line of TJ Cherry, Alvaro Ivanov, and Aaron James, with the trio coming up with several blocked shots on the afternoon. Wheeling put just one of their shots on net, courtesy of Andrew Bell in the game's 17th minute and, like the Cardinal's backline, the Mountain Lions back line was just as strong, making several saves.
The teams went into the locker room with the score standing pat at 0-0, and both looking to break through on the offensive end. The Cardinals came out firing in the second half, taking four of the first six shots of the half, but once again were unable to find the net. No one was able to put a shot on goal for the first 32 minutes of the half, until Concord got the first big scoring opportunity in the match's 77th minute. Concord's Kelly Thomas sent a shot towards the bottom right corner of the net and Carlos Molina made the diving save to keep it a scoreless game. Wheeling's Christian Ruud answered with a shot on goal of his own, but like Molina, Concord's goalkeeper Grant Keegan was able to make the save.
As the time ticked past the 10 minute mark, both teams were still locked in a stalemate and looking to break through. The first team to do so would be Concord in the game's 84th minute as Kelly brought the ball down the field and sent a pass to teammate Fabian Amhoff for the goal. In the next minute, the Cardinals were set up with an opportunity of their own in the 85th minute. A foul set up a Free Kick from Julio D'Lima and he sent the ball towards the net. TJ Cherry was in front of the net and took the header, putting the ball into the top right corner of the net. It made it over the outstretched arm of the Concord goalkeeper and into the net to tie the game at 1-1. It was Cherry's second goal of the season as he broke through for his team. The Cardinals had one more scoring chance with two minutes to go, but Cherry sent that shot wide right and the game would end in a 1-1 tie.
TJ Cherry led the Cardinal's offensive and defensive efforts, captaining the back line while also sitting second on the team with two shots, one on goal, and putting up his second goal of the season. Christian Ruud led the team, taking three shots and putting two on goal, while Andrew Bell, Cole Congson, and Julio D'Lima each took two shots to round out the day. Carlos Molina got his fourth start of the season in net, making five saves on six shots faced to lead the Cardinals.
The Wheeling University Men's Soccer team returns to action on Wednesday, September 20th, when they hit the road to face Notre Dame College with kick-off at 4 PM.
