South Euclid, OH. - On Wednesday afternoon, the Wheeling University Men's Soccer team (0-5-1, 0-3-1) Hit the road as they faced the #12 theme in the country in Notre Dame College. After keeping things close to the first 45 minutes of play, the Cardinals would fall to the Falcons 8-0 courtesy of  five second half Falcon goals. It was the first of three straight road games for the Men's Soccer team as they continue their battle for a Mountain East Conference (MEC) playoff spot.

Notre Dame College got the offense started right away scoring their first three goals in the first 9 minutes of play to take a 3-0 lead. They would take each of the games first four shots, putting three on net to take the early advantage. However, and offsides call on the Falcons would give Wheeling the ball back as they tried to get something going. The first Cardinal shot of the game would come from Christian Ruud In the 17th minute, and Harry Martin would add a shot 5 minutes later. In total The Cardinals would take seven shots in that first half, putting two on net, but they couldn't find a way past the Falcon goalkeeper. The Cardinals defense stepped up for the rest of the half not allowing a goal after the 9th minute and the teams headed in the locker room with Notre Dame College leading 3-0.

Unfortunately, in the second half the Falcon offense got going again, putting up five more goals over the final 45 minutes of play. Wheeling without shot 16-2 in the second half as Notre Dame College went on to win by the 8-0 score. Both of the Cardinals shots in the second half landed on net with Kai Yoshikane hitting in a 66th minute and Rocco LiTrenta taking his shot In the 84th minute. The Cardinals were able to use some of their depth at the end of the game, as they got them some experience against one of the top teams in the country. Although things didn't go the Cardinals way, they held the Falcons at bay over the first 45 minutes and will look to use that as they continue to grow on the field.

Goalkeeper Carlos Molina led the defensive effort in the first half, facing seven shots and making four saves. In the end he would make sick saves on 14 shots faced to end the night. Molina and the Cardinals defense allowed just three goals over the first half, marking the first time this season that they have allowed more than two goals over the first 45 minutes of play. The offense was led by Harry Martin, who in his first game back from injury finished with three shots, putting two of those on goal. Rocco LiTrenta and Kai Yoshikane out of the other two shots on goal to finish the day for the Cardinals.

The Wheeling University Men's Soccer team returns to action on Sunday, September 24th, when they take on West Liberty in the first edition of "The Battle for Wheeling" with kickoff scheduled for 3 PM.