In 2022, the Cardinals played a tough non-conference schedule that helped prepare them for the rigors of the MEC. After dropping their first two games of the regular season, the Cardinals came back strong as they entered MEC play, going 2-0-1 over their first four games of the conference slate. They would clinch the #4 spot in the MEC Tournament and two weeks later clinched their first home playoff game since the 2018 season on senior day against Alderson Broaddus. They would host #5 West Virginia Wesleyan in that first round matchup in what was a tight defensive battle. Richard Afolayanka scored the lone goal of the day for the Cardinals in a 1-0 win. They moved on to the semifinal round, where they were kicked out by the Golden Eagles to finishing what was a strong season.
 

The offense has several of its key pieces from last year's team back on the field, including leading scorer Afolayanka. He increased his goal total for the third straight season, setting a new career-high with eight goals and 18 points. He has increased his goal total in each season, and looks to be a double digit scorer for the team in 2023. Returning to join Afolayanka are fellow forwards Christian Ruud and Harry Martin, who each took advantage of their opportunities during the year. Ruud, who won Wheeling Athletic's Male Difference Maker of the Year in 2022, set a career-high with five goals , three of those coming over the final two games. Martin will wear the captain armband on the offensive side this season, and finished 2022 with three goals while tying for second on the team with 13 assists.
 

On the defensive side, the Cardinals also have two veteran presences in net in Austin Aaron and Carlos Molina. Aaron was the Cardinal's primary starter in net during the 2022 season, and finished with a .583 save percentage, allowing 2.68 goals per game. Molina, who suffered an injury that ended his season early, finished with a .651 save percentage and looks to get back in net this season. On the front line, TJ Cherry will captain the defensive side of the ball, and earned his first All-MEC award last season, when he earned Honorable Mention All-MEC. He will be joined by sophomore Aaron James, who is coming off a strong freshman campaign and will look to get the ball away from the Cardinal's net this season.
 

As the Cardinals open the 2023 season, they are once again looking to find their way into the MEC Tournament again. They were picked #5 in the MEC preseason poll, finishing one spot below where they finished a year ago. After having that taste of MEC Tournament play, the returners are hungry for more as they chase down what would be the program's first-ever MEC Championship. This season, they kick off they year in MEC play and will look to get off to another strong start in conference play. With a top four spot in their sites, a fast start will be key to getting back to the MEC Tournament.
 

The Matchup
 

The Cardinals and Golden Eagles are meeting for the 40th time in program history on Sunday, with Charleston leading the all-time series with a record of 27-10-2. Of the 10 wins for the Cardinals, four have come on the road, where they are 4-16-1 in 21 previous meetings. Wheeling is averaging 1.28 goals per game in the first 39 meetings between the two teams and are looking to get on the board early in this one.
 

Their last meeting came in last year's MEC Semifinal round when the Cardinals fell to Charleston 3-0. Former Cardinal Diego Buenano led the team with three shots taken while Sam Clark and Richard Afolayanka each got off a shot. Austin Aaron got the start in net and made one save on four shots faced as neither offense got a lot going on the evening.
 

The Details
 

Kick-off for Saturday's game is scheduled for 4 PM at the Welch Athletic Complex on the campus of The University of Charleston. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
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