Wheeling, W. Va. - Over the last two weeks, the Wheeling University Women's Soccer team (2-5-1, 0-4-1) have been on the road after starting the year with a heavy home schedule. The Cardinals break that string as they open October, returning home on Sunday, October 1st, when they host Davis & Elkins. The team enters the game on a bit of a slide, having not picked up a win in each of their last five games, and they look to get back in that win column in front of their home fans.

Last time out, the team made the trip down to Institute, West Virginia as they took on West Virginia State in the start of a six-game stretch against MEC South opponents. The Yellow Jackets were set to be one of the quickest teams they would play all season according to Head Coach Emmanuel Awotula, and the Yellow Jackets lived up to that name early. They got on the board in the game's 13th minute, but Wheeling was able to get the equalizer in the 28th minute before the teams broke for the locker room. West Virginia State outshot the Cardinals 16-3 in the first half, but the Cardinal's defense came through holding the Yellow Jackets to just one goal. However, in the second half, West Virginia State added three goals and would walk away with a 3-1 victory.

Leading the way for the Cardinals was Talynn DeBartolo, who scored the team's lone goal in the 28th minute. It was her third goal of the season and marked her second straight game scoring a goal for her team. She moves into third on the team in goals scored and currently sits two goals away from her career high of five, which she set last year. Over her last two games, DeBartolo has taken seven total shots, putting three on goal, and scoring two goals for a shooting percentage of .285. As the Cardinals head into October, their offense is going to be a key part of the Cardinals getting back into the Mountain East Conference (MEC) tournament. DeBartolo is a big part of that offense and looks to continue her success into October.

In the first half of the game, the Cardinals defense was strong, holding the Yellow Jackets to one goal over the first 45 minutes of play. The Yellow Jackets took 16 shots in that first half, putting nine on net, as Goalkeeper Olivia Kqira continued her strong work in net. She made eight saves during that first half and finished with eight saves to end the day. Kqira has put in work over her last five games, making 55 saves including seven or more saves in each of those five games. She has helped keep the Cardinals in games all season long and has allowed three goals or less in each of her eight games played this season. She has been helped by a strong Cardinals defensive line as they look to continue their success in October.

As they enter October, the Cardinals begin a stretch of six straight games against MEC South Opponents as they look to climb the ladder in conference play. They currently sit one game behind West Liberty for the fourth and final playoff spot in the MEC North and, with 10 games and nine MEC games left on the schedule, there is still plenty of time for the Cardinals to get back into the tournament race. They have been within three goals or less of their opponents in all but one game this season and are looking for the ball to bounce their way. They still have one game remaining against each of their MEC North opponents at the end of the month and will look to get back on track before they hit that final stretch.

The Matchup

The Cardinals and Senators are meeting for the 15th time in program history, with Davis & Elkins leading the series at 9-6. When the teams have met in Wheeling, the Cardinals hold a 3-5 record against the Senators compared to a 3-4 mark in Elkins, West Virginia. It has been a relatively high scoring series, with the Cardinals averaging 2.13 goals per game in the first 15 matchups and have scored three goals in two of those last three matchups. It will be the second straight season that the teams have met at Bishop Schmitt Field after the Senators picked up an 8-1 win last season.

Leading the way for the Cardinals was Talynn DeBartolo, who finished with the only goal of the day while taking two shots, putting both on goal. Former Cardinal Kenadee Burgoyne added three shots, one on goal, while former Cardinal Braedynn Porter finished with three shots putting two on goal. Former Cardinal Mikayla Yarwood got the start and made four saves on nine shots faced while Sam Faulkner added three saves on six shots faced.

The Details

Kick-off for Sunday's game is scheduled for 1 PM at Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.